Earlier this school year, Aragon installed two expensive cameras on campus: one in the North Gym and the other on the main field. Athletic Director Steve Sell came up with the idea to have livestreaming cameras installed. The feedback so far has been mainly positive as many people will not be watching athletic events in person this year due to the risk of contracting COVID-19 and the fact that only four family members per athlete are allowed at each game. The first game was broadcast through the National Federation of State High School Associations Network on March 12 and displayed the football game between Aragon (1-1 overall, 1-0 Peninsula Ocean League) and Sacred Heart Preparatory (2-0 overall, 1-0 Peninsula Bay League) which ended in a 49-12 win for Sacred Heart.
Typically, these cameras would cost up to $10,000, but in Aragon’s case, the cameras were given to the school by the NFHS. In the end, the installation was the only cost in the exchange, so the school only paid about $3,000.
“COVID-19 hit and we thought we should really do this”
Games will be broadcast on the NFHS Network which costs $10.99 a month for access to the competitions. Aragon has its own page for all of the recorded games, which can be watched live or prerecorded.
One important feature of the cameras is that they can be controlled remotely.
“Right now, the most likely scenario is us being able to broadcast football games, soccer matches, boys and girls lacrosse and track meets,” Sell said.
Even though the cameras were only installed in two locations on campus, sports that are not played in the North Gym or on the main field may be broadcast from mobile devices as well. Many games are recorded or broadcast by parents, and the NFHS Network makes online viewing more accessible to those who cannot attend in person.
The school was already looking into livestreaming games before the pandemic, but because of the new restrictions on crowd sizes, the idea became even more relevant. Streams will continue after the pandemic.
“We were already getting ready to do this [before the pandemic],” Sell said. ”Other schools in our district had started to do this … and then COVID-19 hit and we thought we should really do this.”
“I think it is unfair to give priority to different sports and to leave some sports out of it”
According to Sell, there were no objections against the installation of the cameras amongst players or coaches. Many players thought it was a great addition and had a positive response to the prospect of their competitions being recorded.
“I think [the cameras were] a good idea because of COVID-19, so everyone can watch games without actually going,” said sophomore baseball player Ronin Lee.
One criticism of the cameras is the possible lack of representation for other sports such as baseball, softball and swimming that will not benefit from the new cameras.
“I think it is unfair to give priority to different sports and to leave some sports out of it,” said freshman basketball player Owen Browne. “The sports that do not have cameras can still be broadcast but in lower quality, leaving the argument of inequality.”
The new cameras will be helpful for members of the community that cannot or do not want to watch the games in person and are willing to pay the service fee. Because of the price reduction that was given to the school, this purchase seems cost effective.
