[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]
Listen/Watch Live Here
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
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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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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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 and beyond promise 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,
Parker Timmermann, and Austin Weigand, 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 new regime 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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Click here to view biographies of current and former staff members.
Current Staff:
John Pearson, Staff
Supervisor
Nick Kauzlarich (Class of 2013),
Commentary
Parker Timmermann
(Class of 2013), Commentary
Austin Weigand (Class of 2013), Video
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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