November 4, 2008
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced today that it will partner with Naperville-based streaming firm Hypercast Network (HCN) to provide live video and audio internet streaming of the 2008 IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals. The Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A matches are set to unfold at Redbird Arena on the Illinois State University campus in Normal on Friday and Saturday, November 14-15. HCN will webcast all 16 semifinal, third-place and state final contests on Friday and Saturday free of charge.
“We have a taken a long and hard look at our coverage options throughout the past few years,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “We have become an on-demand society, which is why we felt that the benefits of world-wide access to live streaming of every state final volleyball match outweighed our traditional tape-delay television coverage of Saturday’s matches only.”
Hickman continued, “Not only will our viewers be able to watch and listen to a television-quality broadcast live on their computer, they will be able to watch it on-demand any time they want on their computer or on a DVD in the future.”
HCN will supply the video streaming at volleyball, which will include media press conferences and pre- and post-game shows with guests, while a familiar voice will provide the in-game audio coverage. HCN and the IHSA Radio Network have teamed up for the event, as Jim Taylor and Kevin McCaffrey of the IHSA Radio Network are set to bring viewers all the play-by-play and color commentary of the 16 matches from courtside.
The IHSA Radio Network has provided live internet radio broadcasts of various IHSA State Finals since 2002, while HCN streamed live video action from the IHSA Girls Soccer and Boys Baseball State Finals last spring.
“The enthusiasm of the participants, coaches and fans at IHSA events are what makes them so special and makes HCN want to be involved in as many as we possible can,” said HCN Co-Founder Greg Busse. “We have the unique ability to be able to meet the students on their own territory and we look forward to allowing them to help shape our online community.”
Hypercast was started by Busse, a 1997 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley) graduate who still ranks among the IHSA’s all-time record-holders in three boys swimming events, in 2002. Busse joined forces with Donnie Seals in 2007 to establish HCN.
Spectators at Redbird Arena will be able to preorder a DVD of any State Final contest from HCN at a reduced price, while DVD copies will be available on HCN’s website after the event.
To view the HCN-IHSA Radio Network joint webcast with video and audio, viewers can visit www.hypercast.net.
To listen to the IHSA Radio Network audio-only webcast, listeners can visit at www.ihsaradio.com or www.amerisportsmedia.com.