Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network Welcomes Student Assistance for Broadcasts

LHSN student worker Ethan Marotske prepares a camera and tripod for Lynchburg's home softball broadcast at Moon Field.

With 18 sports teams competing for the University of Lynchburg, the institution’s Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network staff remains focused on employing one key demographic group to assist with broadcasts: the students.

The network, known throughout campus as LHSN, streams each home athletic event throughout the academic year on YouTube. Many weekends feature multiple teams competing on campus; student workers provide expertise for camera work, stats and announcing to assist the three full-time athletic communications staff members, 

“We just have to give them a good framework for what we need, and then let their skills and talents drive us to our next point,” said athletic director Jon Waters when discussing student workers. “We never would have made it this far if it was just based on full-time paid professionals.”

While the University does not offer a sports broadcasting major, LHSN provides opportunities for students to expand production knowledge while earning hourly wages.

“To be able to do it as early as I was able to made it a lot easier for me and others coming through the system,” said student broadcaster Ethan Marotske. “When others learn about it, more people want to work for LHSN.”

For many workers, responding to technology issues on the fly is crucial when entering sports occupations.

“It’s about staying calm and knowing we’re never going to have a perfect broadcast,” said Marotske. “The problem can be fixed.”

Though students have become crucial members for production, director of communications Ely Shilling understands the importance for full-time staff members to teach newcomers.

“Often, we’ll have three different events in three different locations,” said Shilling. “We try to space out our full-time staff to each be at one location and fill out the remaining spots with students.”

To express interest in working with LHSN, contact shilling_e@lynchburg.edu. 

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For a photography story regarding LHSN’s student workers, click here.

Sources:

Jon Waters (Athletic Director): waters.j@lynchburg.edu

Ethan Marotske (Student Broadcaster): (703) 579-7871

Ely Shilling (Director of Communications): shilling_e@lynchburg.edu