Flour Bluff High School kicked-off the school year with a new class for students tailored at providing real-world experience. The new Sports Information & Marketing class was started to provide an opportunity for students to get involved in extracurricular activities on a different level. Since school began in late August, the 14 students involved with the class have launched a new athletics website and are live streaming sports broadcasts.
“The Flour Bluff Sports Information Program began as a way to get students more involved in school activities, while at the same time learning valuable skills in sports media and marketing,” said Bob Chapman, the Sports Information & Marketing teacher. “These students have taken the initiative in producing and providing commentary on live sports broadcasts in addition to designing and maintaining an internet presence on multiple platforms that promote Flour Bluff Athletics.”
The new athletics website has up-to-date scores for all sports, improved athletic schedules and information on all things Flour Bluff athletics related, all updated and maintained by the Sports Information & Marketing students. In addition, the students are writing articles and providing an in-depth look at Flour Bluff athletes and their sports. The students are also bringing all the ‘Friday Night Lights’ action to the web by producing, videoing and commentating all home varsity football games. Games are streamed on the District’s YouTube channel beginning one hour after the game concludes and for a few days following the original broadcast.
“Our Hornet fans will be “buzzing” when they check out the newly created athletics website,” said Coach Chris Steinbruck, Flour Bluff ISD Athletics Director. “This gives our community the latest Hornet sports information and provides students hands-on learning on professional techniques and skills. I’m so proud of the impressive job these young men and women have produced.”
Sports Information students, Karina Chang and Jolene Puumala were both interested in the class after hearing about what the course planned to offer.
“We’re both Juniors in the University Preparatory program and this class worked with our schedules,” said Karina. “I’ve learned how to use a ton of programs and write articles. It’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Jolene has plans to major in sports management in college and says this class is preparing her for that path.
“Everything I’ve learned so far in the Sports Information & Marketing class will definitely benefit me as I prepare for a career in sports management,” said Jolene. “It’s also benefiting me in my current Communication class at TAMU-CC. I’m able take what I learn in my Communication class and apply that to writing articles and interviewing students and coaches for the Sports Information class at Flour Bluff.”
The students are also assisting with providing content for the Flour Bluff Sports social media platforms. When they attend various practices or games to conduct interviews or take pictures that information is also sent to the new Athletics Sports Information Technologist, Tyler Bills, to help ensure full coverage of Flour Bluff sports.
“The students send me items to post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, since I can’t be at all practices or games,” said Tyler. “The students are very eager to grow the program. They are always asking, ‘What can I do to make it better?’. So far it’s been really good and coming together quicker than I expected.”
Mr. Chapman says the program is helping his students to learn new concepts like designing a website, writing and interviewing skills and produce real-world content for the community.
To read the latest articles from the Sports Information & Marketing students and to check out the new website, visit the Flour Bluff Athletics website at athletics.flourbluffschools.net.