Students propose sports media internship/club to expand live broadcasts and sports coverage

Students at Hewitt-Trussville High School asked the school board to support a sports media internship/club that would record and broadcast live games, take photographs, produce content and provide event-management experience for students.

"Our purpose for this project is to provide students with hands-on experience in sports media while offering them opportunities for scholarships and recommendation letters to support their future success," said BJ Allen, a junior who presented the plan with senior Dave Carter and others. Students described work that includes running cameras for live broadcasts on the stadium jumbotron, operating lights, producing social-media content and selling photos or video links as revenue-generating activities.

Presenters said the program is intended to operate as a club rather than a for-credit elective so student-athletes can participate. They described collaboration with the school’s PA announcer, Chaz Summers, and athletic director Lance Walker, and said they are in initial talks with local marketing and creative firms Adam Black Media and IED for sponsorship or technical support.

Students requested board approval to implement the program in the school system and asked for feedback; board members generally reacted positively and encouraged the students to proceed with community outreach and sponsor conversations. The board did not take a formal vote; students said they would follow up with athletic and administration staff to finalize structure and logistics.