West Student Broadcasting: Taking to the Airwaves

What do you do if you’re a high school student who loves sports, has an interest in broadcasting and realizes that there aren’t many opportunities to combine the two? If you’re Lakota West senior Dimitrije Fisic, you create the Lakota West Student Broadcasting club.

Knowing that he couldn’t get the club he envisioned up and running himself, last year Fisic set out to find more students who would share his vision. After striking up a conversation with a fellow West student at a football game, he found his first partner, Grant Hagaman. 

Fisic brought his idea for the club to Principal Ben Brown and Athletic Director Scott Kaufman, both of whom immediately jumped on board. “I was really excited when Dimitrije first inquired about the possibility (of this club),” said Kaufman. “He took the bull by the horns and has never looked back.”

Next up, start advertising the club around school to get more members. A sophomore at the time, Nick Johnson jumped on board. 

With three members on the team, using equipment donated by Kaufman as well as Fisic’s own, the Lakota West Broadcasting Club took to the airways in February 2022. They began  live streaming audio commentating and analysis on YouTube at the West basketball game versus Middletown. The second broadcast was the basketball regional final versus Centerville.

Adding a camera to the mix, the team was able to include video to their sports coverage last spring with men’s volleyball and women’s lacrosse. “We got so excited about 20 consecutive viewers. It’s funny to think about,” laughed Johnson. 

As commentators, each team member has their own sports that they cover. If they don’t feel knowledgeable enough to announce a game or match, they’ve made the decision to livestream without commentating. 

Kaufman warned Fisic that he did not want to financially invest in equipment if the club would disperse after he graduates. “He told me that he would bring in underclassmen and ensure it continues,” said Kaufman. “Dimitrije has done as he promised. The group has grown with students from multiple grade levels.”

This year, the club has grown to about 23 members, including 16 freshmen to help Johnson keep the club going strong after Fisic and Hagaman graduate in May. The team meets regularly to plan what games they will cover. “We only have the equipment to do one game at a time,” explained Hagaman. “Week by week, we outline what we’ll cover. We try to be equal and represent both boys and girls sports.” They currently cover every football game and as many volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and lacrosse games as possible. Between planning and live streaming, they each spend about 25-30 hours working on the club.

This fall, the unthinkable happened - the club’s YouTube channel maxed out its viewership at 175 during the West football game against Princeton. In order to have unlimited viewers, a channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers. The club took to Twitter to ask for help. “Within six days, we got to 1,000 subscribers,” said Fisic. The next game, versus Hamilton, the team had 301 viewers and over 1,000 unique views of the recording. Now, they have nearly 1,200 subscribers. During the Oct. 7 football game versus Fairfield, they had their highest concurrent viewership yet at 1,012.

“We compare viewer (statistics) each week,” explained Fisic. “If we trend down, we have a backup plan because we don’t want to lose viewership.” What’s their plan? They’ll increase advertising to promote their free channel.

“Dimitrije and Grant have done an amazing job growing the group,” noted Kaufman. “They understand the professionalism and excitement that their work can bring to the school and the community.” After giving a presentation to the Lakota West Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO), they received a sizable donation that will help fund additional equipment for the club. Fisic has also consulted with Brown and leaders from Butler Tech about possible curriculum opportunities. 

Fisic, Hagaman and Johnson each have their own reasons for jumping into the West Student Broadcasting Club. Both Fisic and Johnson want to go into broadcasting as a career, while Hagaman is interested in computer science. 

For Hagaman, in addition to wanting to commentate, he’s also looking ahead. “I want this so that I can go to college and watch my brother (play soccer) and so my grandparents can watch. So everyone who can’t attend can watch Lakota West.”

Johnson is amazed by the support they’ve received. “To see the outpouring of affection and excitement from the viewers we’re reaching - you’re not going to see that anywhere else.”

Although Fisic will graduate in May, he still plans to stay involved with the club and see it continue to grow, possibly expanding to Lakota East High School. “When I first started this, I didn’t know where it would go,” he said. After streaming West’s victory against St. Xavier this year, Fisic paused to contemplate all he’s accomplished. “I had a dream and I made it come true.”