Jesuit basketball game coverage has been given a facelift with the recent introduction of the Ranger Radio Network. The RRN, broadcasting through the Jesuit homepage, has brought varsity and junior varsity (JV) basketball commentary to the Jesuit community since the beginning of the 2011 season. Organized by Mr. Kevin Mullan, the Director of Alumni at Jesuit, the RRN originally began with seniors Scott Weiss, Christian Bartholomew, Nick Thompson, and Colin Cunningham, but has since grown to deliver coverage by students of all grade levels.
The Ranger Radio Network got its start when Mr. Mullan arrived at Jesuit in November of 2011. Having graduated with a degree in communications and having worked in both television and radio in Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Mullan found that his skills in broadcasting could be applied at Jesuit. After talking with Athletic Director Steve Koch and Coach Jack Fitzsimmons, Mr. Mullan got a group of students together and began broadcasting basketball games.
Beyond allowing Jesuit students to listen to basketball games, the RRN, according to JV basketball broadcaster Shea Stine ’13, “gives people who can’t make the games or who don’t live near Jesuit a way to listen to the games.” Additionally, Mr. Mullan explains, “It grows our audience, so that way we get the games out to more people.” Davis Bittner ’13, who covers the JV with Shea, believes that the RRN “lets alumni stay connected to Jesuit athletics without having to stress about attending every game.”
Mr. Mullan considers the experience an important part of broadcasting. “This is a unique opportunity to conduct a professional broadcast,” describes Mr. Mullan. “The bar is set high for those guys.”
Already optimistic for the next year of broadcasting, Mr. Mullan and the rest of the RRN hope that other sports and radio programs can be incorporated into the online broadcast. According to Mr. Mullan, “next year we plan on covering baseball, and hopefully as many of the spring sports as we can.” He also adds that “if there is anybody out there who has an idea for a talk show, or if there’s a teacher out there who wants to do an Internet book club, we are all ears.”
Support your Rangers by listening to Jesuit Varsity and JV basketball games on your computer or smartphone. Go to www.jesuitcp.org/radio for live game coverage.
