Page 39 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

THE IHS A A CHAMPIONS NET W ORK

THE IHSAA Member-Schools First, Followed by Fans

As COVID protocols and fan restrictions
increased during the winter season, the IHSAA
made decisions to not only suspend all license
fees for internet-video broadcasts, but to also
put the 2020-21 girls and boys basketball
CHAMPIONS tournament video streams behind a PPV Total Broadcasts by Year
format. In addition to providing communities a
safe viewing experience of winter tournaments,
these critical calls had a two-fold benefit
during one of the most difficult times of the 3,531
pandemic: 1) the IHSAA was able to return 3,047
much-needed revenue back to member-schools
NETWORK to make up for lost sectional ticket sales and 2) 2,454 2,602 2,706 2,228
member-schools were provided an educational
opportunity to expand (and in some cases
create) student-run broadcast teams. At the
height of the winter tournament season, over
100 IHSAA member-schools were Champions
Network Educational Affiliates, the highest
that number has ever been.

By working with BlueFrame Technology,
the IHSAA provided a critical platform that
enabled schools to broadcast their own games. 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
They also returned significantly more of
the money they collected from viewers than Last year, the IHSAA radically expanded their
they kept to run the network. In a year when coverage of high school sports in Indiana. But just
IHSAA Champions Network: The robust radio coverage provided by the in-person viewing was limited, the IHSAA how much more coverage did the IHSAA provide?
Promoting the Purity and Purpose of Champions Radio Network has typically been doubled down on its commitment to providing Over the past five years, the number of broadcasts
Education-Based Athletics the engine of the IHSAA’s coverage over the accessible coverage of tournament games to on the network has grown at a steady rate—however,
years. However, the unique circumstances its fans. the 2020-21 school year saw nearly 500 more total
For over 40 years, Hoosier fans who haven’t of the 2020-21 school year allowed the broadcasts than ever before.
been able to attend events in person have Association to greatly expand their video and Last year’s broadcasts would not have been
been able to follow their local high school educational affiliate programs as well. possible without the strong foundation
teams on the IHSAA Champions Network. dedication, mindfulness, and forward thinking Total Number of PSAs Broadcast: 69,046
the Champions Network was built on. The
This Network—which is sponsored by the Radio Stations on the Network
IHSAA’s historic first-ever corporate partner, of the IHSAA and their Network partners
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance—provides (including Indiana Farm Bureau, Emmis Total Number of Commissioner 2,095
professional grade coverage across the state 64 Broadcasting, and Fox Sports) enabled them Corner Broadcasts:
in a variety of formats: radio, television, and 52 to quickly pivot in order to meet the unique
internet streaming. 50 50 challenges of the times. Est. Total Number of Video 848
44 Affiliate Broadcasts:
Due to limited crowds and fan attendance, the What drives the IHSAA is its goal of
demand for broadcast coverage of high school promoting the purity and purpose of Est. Total Number of Educational 742
sporting events was at an all-time high last education-based athletics. And thanks to the Radio and Video Broadcasts:
year. And the IHSAA met that demand with Champions Network, high school sports fans
the same innovation and ingenuity that has can always enjoy the lessons and experiences Est. Total Number of Champions 628
enabled them to create a high school sports Over the past six years, the Champions Radio 2020-21 found in education-based athletics no matter Radio Broadcasts:
2017-18
2016-17
2019-20
2018-19
network unrivaled in quality and breadth of Network has continued to grow. where they are.
state tournament coverage.

INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2021 37
36 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2021