Lynx TV back for 2nd season
By:
Jill Meier/Journal Editor
“When you can’t be in the stands, Lynx TV puts you there.”
That’s essentially the purpose of the community-sponsored broadcasts, which returns for a second year starting Aug. 24 when the Lady Lynx host the Mitchell Kernels at 7 p.m. The first broadcast from the Lynx football stadium will be the Aug. 26 Pigskin Classic clash between Brandon Valley and the Washington Warriors, also a 7 p.m. live broadcast.
Made possible by Alliance Communications and supported by local businesses, all home volleyball matches, football, and girls’ and boys’ basketball games, can be viewed on Alliance’s HD channel 226 or on The Cube. The latter can be accessed on the Brandon Valley School District website by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking on the link.
Alliance, in cooperation with the school district, made it possible for games to be viewed by HD subscribers, Harry Buck was the driving force behind bringing live commentary to the broadcasts by securing sponsorship from local businesses.
“They were already doing the video part but I found without any announcers it was hard to follow, so I approached Randy Marso (BV activities director) a year ago about adding announcers,” Buck said.
Hometown personalities Todd Long and Chuck Sjogren return to the microphone this season, as does Ken McCuen and Kyle Rokeh.
Nine local businesses and organizations stepping up to support Lynx TV this school year include First National Bank, Taco John’s, Pizza Ranch, McKinneyOlson Insurance, Harry Buck Team-Hegg Realty, Brandon Valley Community Foundation, Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, Alliance Communications and the Brandon Valley Journal.
Throughout the first year of broadcasts, the Brandon Realtor said he heard nothing but positive comments.
“People really liked it, and the people who liked it the most are people who don’t live here but have a grandson or granddaughter, a niece or nephew playing, and they get to watch, or the snowbirds who get to stay connected,” he said.
Buck said the TV and online broadcasts were also appreciated by the local elder population.
“They may be elderly or ill or it’s inconvenient to go to the game, and can still watch it,” he said.
Buck said he’s also exploring ways to expand Lynx TV to other sports, in addition to art- and academic-related events.
Cooperative efforts between Alliance Communications, BV School District, school personnel and students, and of course, financial support from local businesses and organizations, helped to make this all possible.
“A shout-out to Paul Berndt, Randy Marso and Dian Versteeg, because without their participation, this wouldn’t happen,” he said. “And another benefit is that it gives some great experience to the high school students that work on the production side.”
Paul VanDeBerg, business relations with Alliance, said feedback on Lynx TV has also been positive.
“People said they really enjoyed it and the high-def picture, and definitely the commentators make for a better viewing experience,” he said.
