Live, from the Panther Sports Network . . .
Fall of 2015 has been quite a season for Principia student-athletes!
To begin with, there’s the record of impressive wins—including come-from-behind victories and straight-out triumphs, a second place in District softball, and two District championships (in volleyball and boys’ soccer).
In addition—and just as impressive—is the debut of Panther Sports Network (PSN), a student-run and -managed television-style sports roundup. PSN’s professional-quality videos of edited footage and accompanying commentary may not be broadcast over cable yet, but they are gaining a steady following among student and alumni sports fans.
In recent weeks, the three-person broadcast team has become a familiar sight at almost all Principia home games—manning a TV camera, managing sound recording, and expertly flying a drone to capture bird’s-eye-view footage. Yes, that’s right—a camera-equipped drone! The equipment was purchased by the Athletic Department, which approached the students at the start of fall about putting together a regular reel of highlights and asked what they would need. “The drone was way down on the list; I didn’t think we’d get it until much later,” says a very happy Stephen Stewart, one of the three seniors on the program crew.
While all three students operate the camera, drone, and sound-recording equipment when obtaining footage, they also apply their specialized skills and interests to different stages of the process. For instance, Stephen loves working with the video editing software. He developed an early interest and skills in videography by observing and helping his mother, who has long worked in the television and radio industry. “I just love the idea of sharing the joys and adventures that people have with others,” Stephen says. Video and film production “is something I plan on studying in college and pursuing in life.”
His classmate Brandon Beardsley provides commentary and voiceover for the videos and has his eye on a career in sports broadcasting. For his senior project next spring, Brandon hopes to intern with a Principia alum who is currently an announcer for a Major League team. Forest Andresen is very interested in the business and marketing aspects—and he makes sure that the finished product is well edited, uses appropriate design and branding elements, and is shared with as wide an audience as possible. Forest says his main motivation “is to share information about Principia and market the School” to students around the country using a variety of social media.
New Athletic Director Shawn Brown is pleased with the students’ commitment and creativity. The project, he says, “is student-driven and student-centered, and pushes the students to be focused and engaged.” While the department provides some guidance, “Overall, the students have taken ownership,” Brown notes.
The video project is part of an effort to utilize students in documenting athletics and communicating information about Principia sports teams with people off campus, explains department assistant Chris Rankin. A key goal is to increase fan support for Upper School teams and get more people out to games and matches. (The recent “Fan Fest” for a Friday-night doubleheader of soccer and football was another successful example of the department’s efforts on this front.)
Aware that graduation is approaching soon, the three students are recruiting underclassmen and mentoring them. The Athletic Department supports this effort and is hopeful that links can be made with students in the media classes and on the Ridgway Auditorium tech crew, as well as with their teachers and mentors.
You can view PSN videos through this link or by copying and pasting the following URL:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCoy-B0ifaEE0ls6PWFL0kfg.