Last Tuesday was the first ever all student announced broadcast for a St. Dominic sports team. Not only did it add suspense and excitement to the boys district basketball game, but it gave two of our very own students, senior Emily Baird and junior Max Williams, a chance to be in the spotlight.

The administration, along with the help of Mr. Duncan, the head of the journalism program, is making advances for the 2021 year by adding an entire broadcasting class to the course catalog.To get a head start, Mr. Duncan arranged for Mr. Smith, a St. Dominic parent who has worked in the field of sports broadcasting, to be a guest speaker for the journalism classes. He focused on the basic steps of sports broadcasting this year in order to construct even better productions next year.

“It is important for us to have a broadcasting class next year because we are growing from just our weekly broadcast. With the expansion of the new building, a designated broadcasting space, our livestream and sports commentating, we need to hit the ground running next year and have a class in place and ready to go. I invited Mr. Smith to our class this year because we are starting work on sports broadcasting, and he has been a broadcaster at different times in his life. I think it’s important to utilize people who have been in the industry because you can’t get better than actual job experience,” Mr. Duncan said.

Mr. Smith gave the class insight on the basic “Do’s” and “Don’ts” when being on air. After countless activities, exercises and practice with Mr. Smith, Baird and Williams were ready to take on the Dominic versus Warrenton varsity basketball game. Baird and Williams prevailed while showing a little sneak peek of what Dominic’s broadcast journalism program can become.

“Broadcasting was terrifying at first. Following the action was a little difficult sometimes, especially when I had to connect the numbers to the names. It became way easier as the game went on. Broadcasting is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done at St. Dominic, and I’m so excited to keep doing this,” Baird said.

The live broadcast added play-by-play commentary and analysis for better entertainment and understanding for the viewers watching the livestream at home.

“My first broadcast was much more fun than I could ever have imagined, and I was able to learn so much in just one single game. It’s always great to watch a Dominic basketball game, so I’m glad I was able to make it more fun and entertaining for anyone watching at home through the livestream. I’ll admit I was a little nervous going into it, but once I found myself making my way through the first quarter, it actually seemed to come pretty easy. I can’t wait to do it again,” Williams said.

The St. Dominic community congratulates Baird and Williams for dominating the very first all student sports broadcast for the school. With broadcasting the livestream already off to an impressive start, there’s no doubt next year’s class will achieve many accomplishments and continue to succeed in sports broadcasting.