09/10/2023
As the head of the Wolverine News Network, and a proud Tioga alumnus, I would like to respond to some of the online chatter about our broadcast tonight.
We have multiple ways to stream a football game. Tonight we chose to use our Hudl Focus camera. This camera is fully automated, and mounted on the front of the press box at the 50 yard line. We chose that option because it is waterproof, and our other setups are not. There was rain throughout the game tonight, so I maintain that it was the right choice.
This camera system gives a lower quality image of the scoreboard at night, and the sound from the stadium speakers does not get into the stream well. There is nothing we can do about either of those things. This camera has literally no controls, except to turn it on and off.
Because of the rain, it was this option, or no stream at all. I stand by that choice, despite spending the evening having our broadcast consistently insulted and disparaged.
I have also read complaints of audience behavior and language during the game. WNN broadcasts the game. We are not in charge of the live audience, and have no power to control what they do or say. The microphone will pick up whatever is said in the area around it, so watching our livestream comes with the same risk as attending the event in person.
I am neither defending nor condemning the Wolverine fans tonight. Personally, I am a stickler for good sportsmanship in my own life, and insist upon it for my children and students. However, I have watched high school sports all over the southern tier for the last 30 years, and I don’t think our fans are, in general, any better or any worse than any others. Most are sportsmanlike and positive, but sometimes the loudest are not.
We appreciate all of the support that WNN has received over the 7 years of our existence, and 3 years of sports broadcasts. We only ask that our viewers keep in mind that we are a student broadcasting organization at a small-town high school. In turn, we will continue to do our best to bring Waverly athletics to YouTube with the highest level of quality that we can.
Kevin Doherty