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Board approves broadcasting contract

EAST LIVERPOOL — A contract was approved this week by the city school board with YSN to allow for audio transmission of district athletic events to the public.

The contract was recommended by the board’s athletic committee, which met and discussed the proposal just prior to the regular meeting.

Live broadcasts of basketball games were done by YSN last year as a trial run, according to committee member Matt Handley.

Athletic Director Nate Boyd said YSN “wanted something on paper,” saying the media company will donate 10 percent of sponsorships it secures back to the district’s athletic programs.

Boyd said it also partners with the district’s own Potter News Network, operated by students.

He said there are many positives to having the live broadcasts, particularly giving student athletes another avenue in which to be recognized and giving alumnae no longer living in the area a way to stay connected.

It will cover a multitude of sporting events, according to Boyd.

Board member Richard Wolf questioned the effect broadcasting events live would have on actual attendance at sporting events, with Boyd saying the YSN broadcasts are geared more toward those outside of town.

While one of the benefits mentioned was giving athletes the opportunity to be interviewed, Wolf said, “I don’t believe in students being interviewed,” saying reporters should speak only to the coach and saying if the matter was put before the board, “I will vote against it.”

However, when Handley brought up the contract during the meeting, the vote was unanimous, with Wolf again reiterating his opposition to young athletes being interviewed.

The committee also heard from Boyd about his efforts to locate an athletic trainer, saying a contract renewal with East Liverpool City Hospital looked OK initially, and the hospital added a provision requiring the district to be responsible for additional signage, at the district’s cost.

“Then, look for a trainer somewhere else,” Wolf suggested.

Boyd said he has contacted other medical facilities, one of which has not returned his call, one of which is not accepting new clients and the third from which he is awaiting a possible contract to review.

The issue was on the board agenda but was tabled until more information can be obtained.

Superintendent Randy Taylor said a request had been received to distribute election campaign materials at the Potters/Beaver Local football game and he asked if that would be permitted this year, saying it has “always been done.”

Wolf said, “It has not been done on school property. They have to be on the sidewalk.”

Discussion ensued on the possibility of keeping them on the sidewalk instead of congregating at the gate and congesting traffic, prompting Wolf to say, “We have the same problem with the police department we’ve always had. All we do is pay them, and they do whatever they want to do,” saying school officials can’t tell them where they want the officers stationed.

Boyd and Handley said, however, the police officers have helped with basketball games and plays, saying, they “did a good job.”

The committee heard an update from Boyd on the condition of playing fields, practice fields, Patterson Field, Mangano Track and the fieldhouse and also a run-down on the numbers on the rosters of each sport.

“We’re ready to go,” Boyd told the committee.

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