By Cassidy Grom | Echo
Snapchat reached out to Taylor University in hopes of creating a Live Story of Silent Night.
According to Seth Mikel, assistant athletics director of communications, Snapchat representatives contacted the Trojan Athletic Department before Thanksgiving break.
"We're really excited to (bring) this awesome tradition to the Snapchat community," said a Snapchat spokesperson.
Live Stories allow viewers to see the same moment-say the 10th point-from a variety of angles. Snapchat users at Silent Night will have the option of submitting their videos and pictures to tell the collective story.
Snapchat released the geofilters, or image overlays, at 7 a.m. today. Bryce Marsee, assistant sports information director, said the athletic department provided the social media company with quick facts like the 18-0 Silent Night win-loss record. These brief facts will be included in the compilation video that will be available for 24 hours.
Marsee said he hopes the Live Story event will bring positive publicity to the University. Matthew Murphy, a 22-year-old Louisville, Kentucky resident, began watching clips of Silent Night on ESPN when he was in high school. Murphy isn't completely sure where Taylor University is located, but when he heard Snapchat will be showing it live, he said he would be sure to tune in.
Taylor students are excited to share their tradition with people like Murphy and others around the world. "I want to show the community singing 'Silent Night' and how beautiful of a moment it is," said sophomore Grace Foltz.
