[Headlines]  [Broadcast Schedule]  [Project History]  [VIB Staff]  [A Note To Spectators]  [Viewing Tips] [Archived Productions

[VIB Backers]  [VIB in the News]  [Multimedia Gallery]  [Helpful Hyperlinks]  [VIB Trivia]  [HOI Conference site]  [VIB YouTube Channel

[VIB Twitter Site
[VIB Facebook Site]  [Team Capsules]
  [Tri-Valley homepage [Tri-Valley VODNOD site]  [Tri-Valley Twitter Site]


VIEW LIVE BROADCASTS HERE: 

THE VIB


VIB USTREAM.TV SITE


Welcome to the new and improved homepage of the Viking Internet Broadcasting network!  Here you will find a variety of information about the project, including archived productions, staff biographies, a broadcast schedule, and much more! 

If you have any comments about the VIB or its Web sites or if you encounter technical difficulties with the Web sites, please send an e-mail to
jpearson@tri-valley3.org 

If you want to contact the VIB booth during a live broadcast or experience technical difficulties during a broadcast, please send an e-mail to
booth@thevib.org


Thanks for your support, and we hope you enjoy the broadcasts. 

GO VIKINGS! 


Headlines

CHECK OUT THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY!

Click here to find out what happened today in the world of sports history.


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Broadcast Schedule

A headline story will be posted on the Tri-Valley Homepage a few days before a broadcast is scheduled to take place.

All broadcast dates are tentative.  Broadcasts may be added or removed as the year progresses. 



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Project History

The Viking Internet Broadcasting network creates live streaming Internet broadcasts of various athletic events and activities at Tri-Valley Schools.  The broadcast duties, whether journalistic or technical, are primarily handled by Tri-Valley students, with the assistance of a staff supervisor.  These duties are not part of the curriculum at Tri-Valley; all work is done on the students' own time.  The VIB began as a three person crew with simple broadcast techniques.  Over the past seven years, it has evolved into a professional and respected multimedia showcase that has put Tri-Valley athletics and the community of Downs in the limelight.

The VIB was founded in the Fall of 2003 in conjunction with the Varsity Boy's Basketball season at Tri-Valley High School.  The crew consisted of John Pearson, Tri-Valley's technology director; Brett Miller, a student in the class of 2005; and Steve Miller, Brett's father.  The three provided coverage of post-season play for the basketball team, culminating with the Super Sectional game vs. St. Anne on March 9th, 2004.

Following the 2003-2004 school year, the VIB took a one year hiatus.  It was revived for the 2005-2006 basketball season by Pearson and new student leader Tim Ditman, a 2007 graduate.  Ditman was assisted by students Charlie Prochnow and Steve Stark, both 2006 graduates.  It was during this year that the VIB began to expand its capabilities, gaining recognition across central Illinois in the process.  Highlights of the 2005-2006 year included a McLean County Tournament championship for the boys basketball team and a Sangamon Valley Conference and Regional championship for the baseball team.  In addition, Ditman and Prochnow were invited to assist with the post-game webcasts at the IHSA Boys Basketball Class A State Tournament.

The VIB returned in full strength for the 2006-2007 year, with Ditman once again leading the team.  Additional student crew members included Taylor Springer, Shane Chestney, and Jake Nalley, 2007 graduates; and Alex Schaffer, Trevor Halloran, and Tyler Sonka, all members of the class of 2010.  This year saw coverage of varsity football, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls track and field, as well as non-athletic events, such as coverage of Homecoming week events.  More innovative features were also introduced this year, including on screen graphics and in-game commercials.

The 2007-2008 year was another exciting one for the VIB crew.  Trevor Halloran and Tyler Sonka took the reigns as the student leaders of the project.  They were assisted by Billy Domitrovich and Curtis Prochnow, both in the class of 2010.  The year began with an upgrade in the VIB's streaming capabilities and audio equipment, allowing for broadcasts from virtually any site in America with clearer, crisper sound.  These upgrades came in connection with the launch of the new VIB Web site and YouTube channel, giving the public access to a vast amount of previously unseen VIB information and multimedia.  On the field, The VIB was present for many riveting events, most notably a McLean County Tournament championship for the boys basketball team and HOIC Tournament, regional, sectional, and supersectional championships for the softball team.  On July 21st, the VIB crew was on hand when the Viking baseball team played an exhibition game against Geneseo at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.  The crew provided a online gameday blog and a gametracker for fans who could not be in attendance.

As the VIB celebrated six years of existence at Tri-Valley, the 2008-2009 broadcast season was a rousing success once again.  Trevor Halloran and Tyler Sonka returned as student leaders of the program, bringing Blake Rosensteel and Josh Scott, fellow members of the class of 2010, among other student assistants with them along the way.  Throughout the year, the VIB was present for a variety of riveting games, including the first playoff appearance for the Tri-Valley football team since the 2002-03 school year, a state championship for the eighth grade volleyball team, and HOIC Tournament, regional, sectional, and supersectional championships for the softball team.  This year also saw the founding of the VIB Twitter page, allowing for 24/7 live updates from any event.

The 2009-2010 school year promises to be filled with more memorable moments on the playing field, and the VIB will be your number one source to watch these moments as they unfold.  With the addition of Nick Kauzlarich and Parker Timmermann, members of the class of 2013, to the staff, the VIB has ensured its longevity for years to come.  One of the first events of this year proved to be one with memories that will last a lifetime as the VIB was on hand on August 30th for the Tri-Valley vs. University of Illinois Alumni Basketball Game.  During the fall of 2009, the VIB switched providers for its streaming services to livestream and ustream.  This switch has been a rousing success so far, allowing innovations such as multiple cameras, live in-game chats, and much more to be implemented.  The VIB also expanded its online social media presence at this time with the founding of the VIB Facebook page

Check the Tri-Valley Homepage frequently as the school year progresses for the latest information on upcoming broadcasts.

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VIB Staff

 Click here to view biographies of current and former staff members.

Current Staff:

John Pearson, Staff Supervisor
Nick Kauzlarich (Class of 2013), Video & Technology Coordinator
Parker Timmermann (Class of 2013), Video & Technology Coordinator
Tim Ditman (Class of 2007), Project Advisor

Former Staff:

Steve Miller, Play-by-play Commentary
Brett Miller (Class of 2005), Technology & Video Coordinator
Charlie Prochnow (Class of 2006), Technology & Video Coordinator
Steve Stark (Class of 2006), Color Commentary
Tim Ditman (Class of 2007), Play-by-play Commentary & Technology Coordinator
Taylor Springer (Class of 2007), Color Commentary
Shane Chestney (Class of 2007), Video Coordinator
Jake Nalley (Class of 2007), Color Commentary
Tyler Sonka (Class of 2010), Play-by-play Commentary
Trevor Halloran (Class of 2010), Color Commentary
Josh Scott (Class of 2010), Video Coordinator

Blake Rosensteel (Class of 2010), Color commentary/Video
Alex Schaffer (Class of 2010), Technology Coordinator
Billy Domitrovich (Class of 2010), Technology Coordinator
Curtis Prochnow (Class of 2010), Video Coordinator


If a current Tri-Valley High School student is interested in joining the VIB crew, contact John Pearson (jpearson@tri-valley3.org).

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 A Note To Spectators

If you are a spectator at an event at which the VIB is present, we ask that you do not disturb the crew or walk in front of the VIB's camera at any time.  This includes both students and adults.  Compliance with this request will enable to do the VIB crew to perform their duties to the best of their ability.  We thank you for your understanding on this matter and appreciate your continued support.

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Viewing Tips for Archived Broadcasts

*  When viewing the broadcast on Windows Media Player, the default screen size is relatively small.  To increase the size, either hold down the "ALT" and "3" buttons to double the size of the screen...OR...hold down the "ALT" and "ENTER" buttons to enter full screen mode.  To exit full screen mode, press the "ESC" button.

*  If you are experiencing sound difficulties, check the following:  1)  Ensure that your computer speakers are on and at the appropriate volume.  2)  Check the volume level on Windows Media Player.  The volume control can be found at the bottom of the player.  3)  Check that your computer's internal volume is at the appropriate level.  This can be verified by clicking on the speaker icon on the lower right side of your computer's taskbar. 

*  If at any time the broadcast stalls or freezes up, look at the bottom panel of Windows Media Player.  If the word "Buffering" appears, this means that your computer is in the process of receiving the data.  The broadcast should resume momentarily.  If the stream stalls for an extended period of time and the word "Buffering" does not appear, exit the Media Player by clicking on the "X" in the upper right corner and re-access the broadcast entirely via the link on the VIB Web site.  Please report any technical difficulties about archived broadcasts by sending an e-mail to jpearson@tri-valley3.org.
 

* The most common error encountered when trying to view the broadcasts is a dialog box stating that the server is unavailable, as shown below.  This means that the broadcast is not live at that particular time.  Exit Windows Media Player (see screenshot above) and re-access the broadcast.  If the problem persists, please report the technical difficulties by sending an e-mail to
jpearson@tri-valley3.org.

*  Slow speed Internet connections, such as dial up, may experience significant difficulty when trying to view the broadcasts.  This is because the connection is unable to process the large amount of data it is receiving at a given time.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

*  In the unfortunate event that a live broadcast fails entirely, a notification will be posted on the Tri-Valley homepage.  In addition, the coach of the respective sport will post a game recap on the homepage in the days following the game.

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Archived Productions

2003-04 School Year:

2005-06 School Year:

2006-07 School Year:

 2007-08 School Year:
 
2008-09 School Year:


Problems with these archives should be directed to John Pearson (jpearson@tri-valley3.org).

If you have a video of a memorable moment in Viking athletics, send your information to jpearson@tri-valley3.org.

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VIB Backers

The Viking Internet Broadcasting network is supported and funded by the Tri-Valley Athletic Boosters and Athletic Department, headed by Athletic Director Brian Knutson.  From 2004 to 2009, broadcasts were streamed via the Netro Media Company in Canada.  In the fall of 2009, the VIB switched their provider for a brief period to livestream, and now the organization uses ustream as their streaming provider.  Starting in 2008, the VIB will use the Verizon Wireless nationwide Internet network for a portion of their broadcasts. 

In addition, the VIB could not function on a day-to-day basis if not for the support the following individuals:  the Tri-Valley administration, faculty, and staff; the coaching staffs and players; the administration of opposing schools; and the athletic volunteers.

A big thanks also goes out to our viewers for their never-ending support and for watching in record numbers.

Thanks to all for supporting the VIB!

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VIB in the News

The Pantagraph, February 16th, 2006 (photo here)

 The LeRoy Journal, February 16th, 2006:  Part One & Part Two

 The Pantagraph, March 2006

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Multimedia Gallery

 Click here to view the VIB multimedia gallery!

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Helpful Hyperlinks

 
Click here for a list of Web sites for the well-informed high school sports fan!


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VIB Trivia

 Click here for VIB Trivia!

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This Web site was created and is maintained by John Pearson.
E-mail us with your comments:  jpearson@tri-valley3.org
Last updated:  5/17/2010