Tune in to NPTV on the 31st for a basketball doubleheader and two games worth of commentating from Principal Kyle Hassler and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Michael McKenna.
Announcing is a relatively new activity for Hassler, having only started last year.
“[I hadn’t announced] before last year, that was the first time I did it, I commentated two basketball games here, then Mr. Gilmer asked if I wanted to do the radio broadcast for the state championship softball game. Mr. Rhone and I went out and did that, and then we’re doing two [games] this year,” Hassler said. “After we did the first game I have to say, I really enjoyed it, so I told [Mr. Gilmer] whenever they’re short an announcer and I’m free I’d love to jump in.”
Although new to the booth, Hassler has always had an interest in commentating and knows how to do his research.
“I always wanted to be an announcer, I was an athlete as a kid and always watched games, so I got together with Dr. McKenna and we looked up stats, talked to coaches, and made sure we knew what to talk about. I coach my daughter’s basketball team so I know a little bit more about basketball so I didn’t need to do a ton of prep work. We wanted to make sure we knew the players and some stats,” Hassler said.
With the games being conference matchups against crosstown rival Souderton, the stakes are sure to be higher.
“We haven’t done anything [against] Souderton yet, I’m not from the area so I don’t know the rivalry, but it’s my tenth year in the district so I definitely know Souderton is a rival. I’m sure Dr. McKenna will know a little bit of the history.”
NPTV’s YouTube channel boasts a nearly 14 thousand subscriber count, and the work they do across sports proves to be a great platform and opportunity for students.
“It’s amazing, like I said I played sports in high school and college, and even in college we didn’t have our games televised and now to see most of our games when I’m at home at night at sometimes at my daughter’s practice I pull up the app and the Hudl cam and watch the game from home, so it’s really cool,” Hassler said. “It’s got to be great for the students to have a game tape and somebody announcing it too, seems more professional. I’m thrilled that we’re able to get as many sports as we can on NPTV.”
If any students are interested in getting involved with the NPTV cast or any parts of it, they can email [email protected], but Hassler loves getting the call.
“We’re always looking for students to [broadcast], and we don’t ever want to take an opportunity from a student so if he has a student team they always get the priority. I did tell him if there is any game he wants to put on and he doesn’t have a crew, I’d be more than happy to do it. I love going to all the sports and I feel like I could talk about most of them, so I’m looking forward to doing that in the future but I also hope we grow some in-house broadcasters so I don’t get the opportunity because it’d be better for students to do it,” Hassler said.
The girl’s game starts and 5:30 and the boy’s game will start at 7:00 with McKenna as the play-by-play and Hassler as the color commentator for both.
