Caley Curtis
In Motion Staff Writer
In past years, Daytona State streamed sporting events such as basketball games using outside production sources. Companies were hired to film and broadcast game footage for each season.
Tanamarie Wood/In Motion
This year, Daytona State’s WDSC-Channel 15 has taken matters into its own hands thanks to its partnership with National Junior College Athletic Association commonly referred to as the NJCAA.
Streaming gives the ability to watch both live games, as well as past archived games, via the Internet. The process for watching games is simple: a student can access events by logging on to ihigh.com, searching the Florida game films and then choosing their school preference.
Ihigh is often used for hosting streaming athletic events throughout the country. This is helpful because it allows DSC to reap the benefits of streaming games without the high cost of installing the necessary hardware. All of this is made possible through DSC’s membership in National Junior College Athletic Association.
The NJCAA partners with ihigh to provide these services. The more significant impact for this new type of broadcasting is its benefit to student. DSC is now hiring experienced students to film events to keep this opportunity in-house. This is helpful because it allows students to gain real world production experience, while being compensated instead of having an outside source come in, film events, and bill the College.
Mike Rentnelli, production manager, commented, “This is set up for students. Instead of DSC paying an outside service to do this, they are paying students.” “It’s a win-win situation for DSC and the students.” he emphasized.
This program, still in it’s infancy, is currently being handled by the production department at DSC, but once more developed will be transferred to the Athletic Department. Ideally with this transfer and the help of creative services, Athletics will eventually be able to directly connect the ihigh streaming with the DSC sports website for even easier access for students to view games. Theses departments are also discussing the possibility of bringing in students who are involved in the broadcasting program to announce games, run cameras, or even students to keep score at events.
One of the main positions the station is seeking to fill is someone who can do play-by-play to go along with the streaming video. Most of the games are paid through work-study opportunities and average about $35 per game, but the experience is priceless.
Overall, Daytona State is trying to take advantage of many opportunities benefiting both the school as well as students. This program allows students to create a more cohesive community by combining technology with sports to deepen connections within the student body. Those who are interested can contact Mike Rentnelli at mrentnelli@gmail.com.