Student broadcast program brings sports to fans at home

Peoria Unified School District’s award-winning Peoria Student Broadcasting Network (PSBN) recognizes that many fans, friends and families are unable to attend their favorite high school sporting events due to health and safety precautions and are broadcasting the games for all to see.

PSBN is a unique program which gives students in all seven of Peoria Unified’s high schools the ability to produce and live stream events.

Recognizing the challenges faced by many families and athletic fans across the community, PSBN offered creative solutions during the pandemic by providing links to most athletic events on their website.

This fall sports season, PSBN broadcasted several volleyball and football games to viewers at home and plan to broadcast both girls’ and boys’ basketball, soccer and wrestling matches during the winter sports season.

While the PSBN crew may be limited in number due to the current situation, this does not stop them from putting on a quality broadcast.

These student-led broadcasts are well-received within the community, with their recent broadcast of the Centennial Coyotes football team facing the Pinnacle Pioneers boasting more than 650 live concurrent viewers.

Centennial High School Media Teacher, Bryce Budoff, says he is proud of his students and the quality of their student-led productions each week.

“I want people to know that our streams are my students’ streams,” said Budoff. “They control it all, they learn it all and they produce it all.”

PSBN provides students real learning opportunities in all aspects of professional and social media. Since its inception in 2013, students have been exposed to the newest technologies and gain several hours of experience and learning outside of the classroom.

To view PSBN’s live broadcasts or to learn more about the program, visit Peoria Unified’s website at https://www.peoriaunified.org/psbn.

Peoria Unified School District is nestled in the Northwest Valley of Peoria, Arizona and is home to 42 stellar public schools that are unique and created to fit the needs of all students. Peoria Unified is the choice district for more than 37,000 students and 4,000 staff, serving as one of the largest employers in the West Valley and one of the largest unified school districts in Arizona.

The district has signature programs spread out between 34 kindergarten through eighth-grade elementary schools and eight high schools that excel in academics, arts, athletics and Career and Technical Education programs. The Strategic Plan outlines a laser focus on four key areas: Student Success, Safety and Well-Being, Stewardship of Community Resources and Community Connection.

Above all, Peoria Unified is committed to transparency, parent involvement and ensuring that “Every Student, Every Day is Prepared to Shape Tomorrow.”