Media production program brings real world sports broadcasting opportunities to Avella students
On Friday, when blue-and-gold-clad Avella Eagles football fans flood through the gates at the stadium to watch the Eagles football team take on the Mapletown Maples in the homecoming game, another team will ensure that a high-quality stream of the football game reaches area homes.
Avella Area High School’s media production team – made up of students in media production classes – streams live sporting events, including football, basketball and, occasionally, volleyball.
Earlier this week, sophomore Jordan Minor interviewed members of the football team, and those interviews will air as part of the game packaging. On Friday night, Minor will handle sideline interviews.
Other students will handle other parts of the broadcast, including operating cameras and providing instant replays.
“I’m thinking about doing this for a career,” said Minor, a lifelong sports fan. “I’m definitely interested in sports broadcasting, and I think it helps me connect with the players and coaches and I get to know more about the things that go into the game.”
Avella started broadcasting games in 2017 and added play-by-play in 2021. The media program provides students with instruction and hands-on experience in every facet of game-day production.
Said Jesse Saunders, a business/ technology teacher who also teaches the broadcasting classes, “For the students, it’s the chance to see what a professional broadcast looks like. It’s one thing when you’re going on Youtube and filming yourself, but understanding all the moving parts that are going on behind the scenes is important. And it helps them to know that even if they’re not comfortable being on camera, there are a lot of roles behind the camera, and they’re just as important as the guy talking.”
Avella School Board member Scott Willyerd, who has produced television news for a CBS affiliate and radio newscasts – and has produced an award-winning documentary chronicling the relationship between fathers and sons who participated in the Silver Gloves Boxing tournament – pitches in as a play-by-play announcer for football games.
“I could only dream of having this equipment when I was in high school,” said Willyerd. “I have said that at Avella students get a private school education in a public school setting. It’s an unbelievably great opportunity for them to have this program and this technology and equipment.”
The school district has partnered with Hickory Telephone Co., which broadcasts the games.
Brian Jeffers, vice president of the company, said the cable TV operation provides as much local content as it can, including local news, sports, events and announcements.
He said Avella’s football games are the most watched event on Fridays.
For Friday’s football game, Chase Maceiko, an Avella graduate who is a sophomore at Waynesburg University, will provide color commentary alongside Willyerd.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to produce content that’s going out to everybody,” said Jeffers. It’s a great opportunity for them to get their hands on equipment they typically wouldn’t, and to get experience they might not get otherwise.”
Saunders said Maceiko “has been able to step into Waynesburg’s program and already has experience. Other kids are stepping in cold, but he’s already done a lot.”
Maceiko said he was unaware of all of the opportunities available in broadcasting until he took the media production class. He ran cameras until his junior year, when Saunders asked if he wanted to provide color commentary for a game.
“Before announcing that game, I knew I wanted to work in sports, but after it, I wanted to become an announcer,” said Maceiko.
The media production students hope the 5-1 Eagles pull off the victory, and they are ready to record every second of it.
Saunders said the quality of the productions has increased, and that the program plans to expand game coverage to include baseball, and perhaps wrestling.
And, he hopes the lessons they’re learning in the classroom and broadcast booth will last.
“I think the main thing I want them to understand is that if you want to do something like this, you have to prepare,” said Saunders. “I hope they understand that if you put the work in beforehand and are willing to try new things, whether it’s interviewing someone on camera or something else, that those are life skills that will serve them in their lives, no matter what they do.”