Volunteer Play-by-Play Broadcaster – High School Athletics

Position: Volunteer Play-by-Play Broadcaster High School Athletics
Reports To: Director of Athletics / Athletic Department
Position Type: Part-Time / Seasonal
Schedule: Evenings and occasional weekends based on the athletic schedule

The Volunteer Play-by-Play broadcaster serves as the voice of high school athletic broadcasts and is responsible for providing professional informative accurate and engaging live commentary for selected home athletic contests.

The broadcaster will help showcase the accomplishments of student-athletes coaches and athletic programs while providing families alumni students and community members who cannot attend contests with an enjoyable and professional viewing experience.

The broadcaster represents the school and athletic department during each broadcast and is expected to demonstrate professionalism sportsmanship enthusiasm and respect for student-athletes coaches officials opponents and spectators.

Broadcast assignments may include:

• Field Hockey
• Girls Soccer
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Volleyball
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Wrestling
• Boys Lacrosse
• Girls Lacrosse
• Additional athletic contests or postseason events as assigned

• Review team rosters schedules records statistics and other relevant information prior to each broadcast.
• Become familiar with correct pronunciations of student-athlete and coach names for both teams.
• Develop a working knowledge of the rules terminology strategies and scoring procedures of each assigned sport.
• Communicate with the Athletic Department coaches and broadcast personnel as necessary to obtain accurate information.
• Arrive at the athletic venue with sufficient time to prepare for the broadcast and address any technical or logistical issues.
• Prepare appropriate pregame notes storylines statistics and background information.

• Provide clear accurate and timely descriptions of the action throughout the contest.
• Identify players involved in significant plays whenever possible.
• Regularly communicate the score game clock/time remaining period/quarter/set and other relevant game information.
• Explain important rules penalties substitutions strategies or game situations when appropriate.
• Provide context regarding team records season accomplishments upcoming contests and other relevant athletic information.
• Maintain an energetic and engaging broadcast while allowing the action and atmosphere of the contest to remain the focus.
• Provide appropriate pregame halftime/intermission and postgame commentary.
• Work effectively with a color commentator or additional broadcast personnel when assigned.

The broadcaster is expected to remember that high school athletics are an extension of the educational experience. Broadcast commentary should reflect the values and standards of the school district. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from this position.

The broadcaster shall:

• Maintain a positive professional and respectful tone at all times.
• Remain reasonably objective while appropriately recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of the schools student-athletes.
• Treat opposing teams coaches officials and communities with respect.
• Avoid criticizing or questioning the character effort or ability of student-athletes.
• Avoid excessive criticism of coaches or game officials.
• Never speculate regarding a student-athletes injury medical condition disciplinary situation eligibility or other confidential information.
• Avoid discussing rumors or unverified information.
• Use appropriate language suitable for students families and community members of all ages.
• Avoid comments regarding a student-athletes physical appearance or other personal matters unrelated to the competition.
• Demonstrate good judgment regarding information shared during a live broadcast.
• Follow all school district athletic department league and governing-body policies applicable to athletic events and broadcasts.

Depending upon the schools broadcasting platform and staffing structure responsibilities may also include:

• Operating or assisting with microphones headsets computers cameras score overlays and streaming equipment.
• Confirming that audio and video feeds are functioning before the contest begins.
• Coordinating with camera operators production personnel scoreboard operators and athletic department staff.
• Understanding basic procedures for starting monitoring and concluding a livestream.
• Immediately notifying appropriate personnel of significant technical problems.

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong verbal communication skills and a clear speaking voice.
• Knowledge of and enthusiasm for high school athletics.
• Ability and willingness to learn the rules and terminology of multiple sports.
• Ability to describe live action accurately and concisely.
• Strong preparation and organizational skills.
• Ability to think quickly and communicate effectively during fast-paced competition.
• Professionalism and sound judgment in a live-broadcast environment.
• Ability to interact appropriately with high school students coaches officials parents administrators and community members.
• Dependability and the ability to consistently arrive on time for assigned contests.
• Previous broadcasting public-address announcing journalism communications or sports media experience is preferred but not required.

The broadcaster must be available for assigned contests throughout the fall winter and spring athletic seasons. Most assignments will occur during weekday afternoons and evenings with occasional weekend and postseason assignments.

Because athletic schedules are subject to weather tournament advancement postponements and other circumstances flexibility is an important component of the position.

The Play-by-Play Broadcaster is an extension of the Athletic Department and represents the school to viewers and listeners. The individual selected for this position is expected to promote the educational mission of interscholastic athletics and help create a broadcast environment that recognizes:

Sportsmanship School Pride Competition Student Achievement Respect Community

The goal of every broadcast should be to tell the story of the contest while highlighting the efforts and accomplishments of the student-athletes participating in it.

This is a seasonal at-will volunteer position. The employment relationship is at-will meaning that North Haven Public Schools may terminate the position or end the relationship at any time for any reason with or without notice. Furthermore the District reserves the right to eliminate this position at its sole discretion for any due cause. No oral or written representations to the contrary shall be valid unless they are explicitly authorized by the District in writing. The broadcaster is expected to maintain a standard of conduct consistent with all North Haven Public Schools policies including expectations for respectful courteous and professional behavior.

Interested applicants should apply online through the North Haven Public Schools website and include a letter of intent and resume. Any questions can be directed to Steve Blumenthal Athletic Director of North Haven Public Schools at .