Page 50 - 2022-23 Annual Report

THE IHS A A CHAMPIONS NET W ORK
The
IHSAA CHAMPIONS
NETWORK
KEEPING EDUCATION IN
FRONT OF ATHLETICS
Year after year, the IHSAA Champions
Network has continued to evolve. And the
2022-23 school year was no exception.
By nurturing the relationships with
broadcast partners and staying on the
forefront of streaming technology,
the Association has created one of the
most sophisticated high school sports
networks in the country. As advanced as
the Champions Network is, though, it’s
the commitment to keeping education in
front of athletics that makes it special. broadcast of the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals.
50 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION
THE IHS A A CHAMPIONS NET W ORK
One of the most unique ways the IHSAA has
combined development of the network with
their commitment to education is through
their Educational Affiliate program. Schools
whose sports broadcasts are run by students
(with the aid of a teacher/mentor) are eligible
to become an affiliate—which not only
provides them with guidance and support on
developing their broadcast program, but also
waives the fee to broadcast IHSAA-owned
content (i.e. tournament events). While the
broadcasts themselves allow fans to watch or
listen to high school games, the Champions
Network Educational Affiliate program
allows member schools to offer additional
opportunities for students (who aren’t
necessarily on the playing field) to learn and The IHSAA’s PSAs—which are distributed to all
grow by playing a part in high school sports. commercial and educational affiliates—highlight
that the best way to support education-based
athletics is by buying a ticket to a local high
IHSAA EDUCATIONAL VIDEO school’s athletic event.
Greg Rakestraw, longtime friend of the Champions AFFILIATES
Network, interviews a student-athlete during a
In addition to requiring that the broadcasts
2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR 88 are student-run, educational affiliates (along
with commercial affiliates) are also required
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR 106 to air IHSAA public service announcements
(PSAs). From the life lessons learned to the
2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR 126 valuable mentors and coaches found in the
second classroom, the content of the IHSAA’s
PSAs highlights the importance of education-
based athletics and community support.
The development of educational programs
statewide has had a real impact on the The Association utilizes its vast network
Champions Network—and education-based of radio and video affiliates to broadcast
athletics—as well. An increase in educational their PSAs to every part of the state, greatly
affiliates has contributed to the year over enhancing its outreach efforts. On the
year increase in broadcasts on IHSAAtv.org. radio network alone (which is currently
This led to the Association and its video the largest in Indiana), Champions
affiliates airing over 2,000 more broadcasts Network affiliates broadcasted over 50,000
of Indiana high school sports during the PSAs during the 2022-23 school year.
2022-23 school year than in 2021-22.
Whether it’s through developments
like the Educational Affiliate program
TOTAL NUMBER OF or PSA messaging, the Association is
BROADCASTS making the most of new technologies and
broadcast capabilities. More important
than any current capability, though, is the
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR 5,024 commitment to continually developing
the Champions Network. By staying at
2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR 7,171 the forefront of broadcasting, the IHSAA
is positioning itself to always have an
avenue to communicate that education
will stay in front of athletics in Indiana.
ANNUAL REPORT 2023 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION ANNUAL REPORT 2023 51