The Region Sports Network broke new ground this week by signing agreements with three local high schools that will make the company’s website, regionsports.com, the official play-by-play “home” of Munster, Andrean and Whiting boys basketball for the 2010-11 season.
Audio webcasts of approximately 45 of the three schools combined 60 regular season boys home and away games will be available to listeners live on the Internet. All IHSAA tournament games involving these schools will be webcast as well. Several games will also air as part of the RSN radio schedule on affiliates WWCA 1270am and WLTH 1370am.
Chris Lannin, RSN executive co-producer of basketball programming, said the advantages of such partnerships are wide ranging for the schools and the Region Sports Network.
“We are very excited about our partnership with the schools,” said Lannin. “By making Regionsports.com their broadcast home, the schools will virtually have their own play-by-play networks.”
“The Region Sports Network benefits because we’ll be able to build a loyal listening audience in specific communities,” Lannin continued. “But it’s the fans of these schools that will really benefit the most because they will always know where they can listen to the games and they will have more opportunities now than ever before.”
Up in Whiting, where athletic director Paul Laub was the first to get on board, the city is getting psyched up about the coverage.
"Whiting High as well as the Whiting community is very excited about our partnership with the RSN. This opportunity will give Oiler fans across the nation a chance to listen live to our boys’ basketball games” said Laub.” Coach Milenkoff is anticipating a very exciting season so fans who cannot attend the game will have a chance to be part of the action. This is a win, win situation for everyone involved."
Officials at Andrean and Munster offered similar comments.
In addition to these schools, the Region Sports Network is also the “unofficial home” of Valparaiso High School sports, broadcasting around 75 Viking sporting events per year, including close to 40 basketball games on WVLP-LP FM in Valpo.
According to Lannin there are still a couple of more schools interested and he hopes to sign at least one of them before the first of the year.
Between its radio broadcast and Internet webcast schedules, the RSN plans to offer live play-by-play of approximately 150 regular and post season boys and girls high school basketball games during the 2010-11 season.