Mar 01, 2024

Great Bend High School elevates streaming experience for athletics

Posted Mar 01, 2024 6:00 PM
Members of the GBHS Stream Team spend time in the classroom preparing for their next live event. Tune in on the Panther Media channel on YouTube at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1 to watch the Panther boys basketball team taking on Hutchinson for the Sub-State Championship.
Members of the GBHS Stream Team spend time in the classroom preparing for their next live event. Tune in on the Panther Media channel on YouTube at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1 to watch the Panther boys basketball team taking on Hutchinson for the Sub-State Championship.

From USD 428...

The Great Bend High School Stream Team, under the leadership of video production teacher Dan Heath, has taken their live streaming capabilities to new heights with recent equipment upgrades, providing an immersive viewing experience for GBHS Athletics and activities on YouTube.

The dedicated team, comprised of enthusiastic students, has embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance the live-streaming productions. Recent upgrades now enable multiple camera angles, instant replays, and a picture-in-picture display of the scoreboard, creating a dynamic and engaging presentation for viewers.

Dan Heath, in his 21st year of teaching at GBHS, has witnessed the rapid evolution of livestreaming technology over the past decade. He remarked, "Only recently has technology allowed us to produce high-quality productions with affordable equipment, and grants from the USD 428 Education Foundation helped us secure additional cameras and related equipment."

Students involved in the Stream Team gain hands-on experience in operating cameras, managing the switchboard, live communication during broadcasts, troubleshooting in real-time, and more. The program not only offers technical skills but also fosters teamwork and adaptability, crucial skills for a future in media production.

"As the need for streaming grows, so does the demand for students to be part of the program," said Mr. Heath. Interested students are encouraged to enroll in Panther Media classes at GBHS, which include Video Production, A/V Production, and Digital Media. "Digital content is embedded in many career pathways; Panther Media gives students the opportunity for hands-on learning."

The recent basketball games, particularly the Sub-State game on Feb. 27, showcased the Stream Team's capabilities with over 120 live viewers on YouTube at any given point during the event.

The team will be in action again on Friday, March 1, as the Panthers host Hutchinson for the Sub-State Championship game.

Viewers can find and subscribe to "Panther Media" on YouTube. For more information, please contact Great Bend High School at 620-793-1521.

Stream Team Members:
Cody Karst, Production Manager
Oscar Salcido, Production Manager
Steven Guillory, Executive Producer
Trina Charles, Director of Production
William Bowers, Production Member
Jocelyn Ward, Production Member
Nicholas Cartwright, Production Member
Mackenzie Laviolette, Production Member
Damian Palma Lopez, Production Member
Jacob Parks, Production Member
Brayden Rocha, Production Member
Keaton Wahlmeier, Production Member