News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
Interim Commissioner Dave Gray
For Immediate Release – Oct. 12, 2016
Contacts:
Ohio Broadcasters Planning for Second Statewide Meeting: FEEDBACK REQUESTED
Broadcasters group plans to meet again in June 2017
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following an August meeting that was attended by more than 50 broadcasters from around Ohio, a second statewide meeting is being planned for June 2017 as the group seeks to hold more discussion on forming an official association.
The August meeting, which was co-hosted by the Ohio Association of Broadcasters and the Ohio High School Athletic Association, focused mainly on the history of the former Ohio Sportscasters Association, which was formed in the 1970s and reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. The group disbanded in the early 2000s.
During the 2016-17 school year, the OAB and OHSAA seek feedback from broadcasts regarding forming an official group. Broadcasters are asked to respond to Tim Stried, Director of Communications for the OHSAA, at [email protected] and Chris Merritt, President of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, at [email protected].
Attendees agreed that an organized group could hold annual meetings and workshops, issue membership credentials, elect officers, create a Hall of Fame, construct a website, and discuss various matters pertaining to broadcasting high school sports with the OHSAA and OAB.
The August meeting was hosted at the OHSAA office in Columbus. The OAB sponsored the catered lunch at no charge to attendees, who heard comments from former OSA officers Dave Ross of Sidney, Mike Smith of Chillicothe, Randy Heath of Jackson and Roger Barber of Hillsboro. Welcome comments were provided by Chris Merritt and Tim Stried, and a keynote message was given by Paul Keels of Columbus WBNS Radio.
A similar revitalization effort and partnership with the OHSAA was successfully started in 2011 with the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Associations, which has now grown to 142 members.
After feedback is gathered from broadcasters, plans for the meeting in June 2017 will be finalized.
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