If you take a look at the spreadsheets on Mason Smith and Tyler Wolkowicz’s computer screens, you might think they’re undertaking an extensive math project.

Take a closer look and you’ll see what has been a labor of love for the two seniors who have anchored Frontier Community Access Television’s (FCAT) sports broadcasting program, which, much like Frontier Regional School’s athletic programs, has reached new heights in the last few years.

Over the last several years, Smith and Wolkowicz, as well as fellow seniors Izac Wormgoor and Brayden Reipold – with the support of FCAT Community Outreach Director Kevin Murphy – have started keeping extensive stats for Frontier athletes and traveled all around the state to broadcast athletic events for the school community.

“We’ve been working a lot with our organizer to get things going. We’ve been trying to recruit more people to do photos and videos,” Wolkowicz said at a recent Frontier girl’s basketball game. “After COVID, everything died down and we’ve been trying to really bring it back.”

That effort has paid off, as Smith, Wolkowicz and the crew have helped oversee the growth of the program, which now travels around the state, bringing far-away athletics action to the community. Alongside their stat-keeping, FCAT has also introduced replays to their events, which is a rarity for local broadcasts.

“We do all of the sports. I think something I love doing, and it seems a little strange, is going and doing the away,” Smith said. “We form a connection with the players. I mean, they really appreciate what we do and we appreciate their love and respect.”

The four seniors were also recognized at a senior night event of their own before one of the basketball games for their efforts in bringing the school’s athletic events to the community.

Murphy, who is also a digital literacy and computer science teacher at Frontier, said the students, with the support of people in the four towns, have really embedded themselves into the broadcasting program, which also provides some valuable hands-on experience with technology and media.

“Because of the popularity, because of the support of the community, it’s been driven … in any given year, we do upwards of 70 or 80 games, some ridiculous number,” Murphy said, adding FCAT Manager Jonathan Boschen has been a driver in the program, too. “It’s a good medium to get into tech. I have camera ops, I have kids running the switchers and the audio. It’s just a fun time.”

He added FCAT first began doing live cable broadcasts in 2011 and then, as livestreaming took off on YouTube, they really “nailed it.”

While the actual broadcast is what the public sees, Wolkowicz and Smith said there is “so much prep work” that goes into the product streamed on YouTube. 

There’s the spreadsheets filled with stats for each player and sport, which allow the young broadcasters to weave analysis into their play-by-play calls. Perhaps most important for the students in this day and age, though, are the social skills and professionalism they need to put on when reaching out to opposing schools’ athletic directors for rosters or coaches for the pronunciation of players’ names.

“Coming out of middle school, I was incredibly anxious. I think I’ve become such an incredible networker and people person,” Wolkowicz said, adding this work has allowed him to “know everybody’s name in this building … I’ve learned so much about how to work with different people.”

“It feeds itself, you know?” Smith added. “You’re doing a service that, evidently, a lot of people are appreciating. So, when you reach out to people asking for help, they’re more than willing to send things your way.”

When they graduate, both broadcasters said they’d like to continue this work further and pursue a college degree related to it. Wolkowicz said he’s interested in statistics and management, while Smith wants to pursue a broadcasting degree.

On top of the skills and relationships they’ve developed, Smith and Wolkowicz said the work is just plain fun.

“I love watching professional sports as much as the next guy, but especially for us with the age we’re at right now, we just have such a personal connection with the players and the fans,” Smith said. “It’s just such a great way to get closer to a lot of the games.”

FCAT’s sports broadcasts can be found on its YouTube page at youtube.com/@FCATMedia. Additional photos and highlights of the student broadcasters’ work can be found on FCAT’s Instagram page at @FCATMedia.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.