Tim Bastian
Well, folks, it’s now been two years since working with local school athletic directors and others throughout the state since we launched our YCN Sports Broadcast in 2019.
In fact, I remember our first ATTEMPTED broadcast when Shepherd football played Huntley Project in Worden, and it went into overtime. Huntley Project won it in overtime on a 4th down push across the goal line. However, there were so many things that went wrong that day for our YCN Sports broadcast that I was embarrassed to even say that we broadcasted it online. I learned after the game that my microphone headset was not even working correctly with my computer and that the only sound was being picked up was by my computer microphone instead. (In fact, I might go back and see if I can even find that broadcast for ol’ time’s sake.)
Even though not many knew about our idea and venture, except a few, we struggled forward after that initial broadcast game to test, tweek and refine our signal and process. We absolutely had no idea what we were doing or how to do it, but had a couple people from across the state that allowed us to copy them and then modify their system to the point that we could provide a final product to the masses that we were proud to produce. Was it perfect? Was it clear? Was it smooth? No! However, we pressed forward in our quest to provide a local broadcast signal for those not able to make the games as well as provide a way to promote, cover and broadcast the local happenings for the local schools that include Shepherd and Huntley Project.
Once we achieved a signal for the masses, we got some advertisers to help support our cause so that we could continue to bring the games to the masses while promoting their businesses along the way. We got a lot of feedback and support in our quest to follow the local Huntley Project and Shepherd schools’ sports teams.
Once we started doing it consistently, we started making sure our signal was secure and not dropping off or cutting out. We constantly had two or three people testing and monitoring our signal and sound level to make sure it was working with each different school we attended, etc. We encountered many different scenarios at different schools, locations, and buildings that include MetraPark and big gatherings of people. However, we managed to be prepared to use plan B and plan C in case we needed at the spur of a moment.
We succeeded and were successful in covering the local sports teams even into their district and divisional tournaments but hit a road block with covering our local teams at the state volleyball tournament in Bozeman as we were not allowed to cover it because we were not a radio station with call letters like KGHL or KCTR.
So, last year in August 2020, we bought a radio station KFHW 101.1 which then would allow us to cover our local teams with even more options for our advertisers and listeners. So, in November 2020, YCN Sports covered Huntley Project at the state volleyball tournament for the first time ever. Now our YCN Sports Broadcasts are online and on the local radio station for everyone to listen to.
Along our journey of launching YCN Sports and getting it up and running for the masses, Anderson, Pappy and I voted last year for the YCN Sports Athletic Director of the Year Award. Last year, it went to Columbus High School Athletic Director Joseph Morse. We have always appreciated his willingness to help and always thanked us for coming to cover the kids and teams over the two last years. In fact, he asked us if they could connect to our audio broadcast feed to their NFHS network this Saturday, and we are happy to see if we can make it a win/win.
This year, it was decided that Tim Bastian, Athletic Director for Huntley Project will be the recipient of our YCN Sports Athletic director of the Year Award. Tim was one of the first people that I contacted in regards to see if there was a need and desire for a local radio broadcast station to follow the local sports teams. He was open to the idea of discussing it from the beginning. He nor I had all the answers. However, since then, Tim has communicated with my staff and me in a positive and professional manner. He has been willing to work with us even in times of Covid-19 status and situations where we’ve been able to make it a win/win situation. He has let us know when changes to schedules have happened and not let us get halfway to our destination before we find out that things have been changed. He has made YCN Sports feel welcomed and valued. He has also communicated scores to us as well as given us constructive feedback on our broadcast in how YCN Sports can be better. His communication either on the phone or text have been very professional and focused on solutions and not attacking or discrediting our YCN Sports efforts. Even in the last year of Covid-19 issues, he’s dealt with the public in a way that helps focus on the student athletes and teams. Many parents have commented privately to me on how much he has done to mitigate public issues with wearing masks while also balancing his job as the athletic director, and how one communicates to the public of the need so that kids and parents can attend the many events. Not to mention all the sanitizing and extra cleaning between events at the school. Even in times of Covid-19 concerns, he and the school will be taking on the burden of conducting a successful district basketball tournament at Huntley Project in the coming weeks. He is personable, authentic and has a good rapport with fans, athletes, his peers, the general public, county commissioners as well as the local county health office.
For these reasons and many more, Tim Bastian has been voted 2020-2021 YCN Sports Athletic Director of the Year!
See you in the paper!
JDM
