Overby Center to host SEC Network panel

To set the table for the first Ole Miss appearance on the SEC Network’s traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation, the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics will host the network’s top executives, the Southeastern Conference’s associate commissioner for television, and SEC Nation’s reporter to talk about their new venture on the eve of the Tennessee game this weekend.

The program will be held in the Overby Center Auditorium, overlooking the Grove, at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The event is free and open to the public. Special arrangements have been made with the university to provide free parking during the program in the lot adjacent to the Overby Center.

The SEC Network, which is owned by ESPN, began programming in August and offers round-the-clock coverage of SEC sports.

The featured guests are:

•     Justin Connolly, senior vice president of programming for ESPN’s college networks. Connolly joined ESPN in 2003 and now oversees the SEC Network. He is in charge of strategic direction, content acquisition and scheduling for the networks.

•     Stephanie Druley, senior vice president of  production for ESPN’s college networks, which includes the SEC Network. She is in charge of creative and editorial content, studio and remote events and all talent and production personnel.

•     Charlie Hussey, associate commissioner of television matters for the Southeastern Conference. A native of Oxford, Hussey has been a member of the SEC staff since 2000 and now serves as the conference’s chief contact with the SEC Network.

•     Kaylee Hartung, college sports reporter for the SEC Network and ESPN. Hartung appears regularly on SEC Nation, which will be in Oxford for the Ole Miss-UT Saturday.

 “With enthusiasm for Ole Miss football running at fever pitch, I can’t imagine a better way to start the weekend,” said Overby Fellow Curtis Wilkie, who will moderate the program.

 During the hour-long event, members of the audience will be able to ask questions as well as to hear details about the network.