WFSPN: New Year, New Gear

Woodberry’s student-run broadcasting network, WFSPN, has always aimed to bring live coverage of sports and events to parents, alumni, and students. But recent upgrades have taken their efforts to a new level, thanks to a mix of new technology, community support, and dedicated student involvement. 

 

Chris Holmes, faculty advisor to WFSPN, emphasized that these changes come from a desire to create a more professional, immersive experience for the Woodberry community. 

 

"WFSPN is always striving to bring Woodberry’s parents, students, and faculty the best broadcast experience that it possibly can," said Holmes. "The changes were brought about by a desire to bring our fans an experience more aligned with what they would see in a broadcast on a platform such as ESPN. Obviously, we don’t have quite those resources, but we do have the resources to provide a better quality of broadcast than we were offering.”

 

The transformation of WFSPN was made possible in part by the generosity of parents and alumni. Most notably, parents of the class of 2023 allocated more than $100,000 of their Senior Parent Gift to the Graydon D. Robertson ’16 WFSPN Endowment Fund — a fund that was established by Gray's father, Robbie Robertson, with a gift of $100,000. With that philanthropic support, WFSPN has added state-of-the-art equipment, including two brand-new 4K camcorders, tripods with zoom controls, on-set communication systems, rain gear, and canopy tents to keep cameras and their operators dry during rainy game days. The equipment upgrades extend beyond just filming; the addition of a new high-capacity computer allows the team to handle multiple media sources, making broadcasts smoother and more dynamic.

 

The influx of new equipment has not only enhanced the quality of WFSPN’s broadcasts but also presented students with an opportunity to explore the full potential of video production. 

 

"I have seen cameramen get more creative with the way they film games, and I have seen students eager to work with graphics and production," said Tyler Campbell, who is Woodberry’s assistant director of communications and a key player in managing WFSPN’s technical operations. "This sort of activity is fun and engaging, so the more productions we can get guys doing, the more comfort they will have with the technology and the more advanced we can get with our broadcasts."

 

The new setup has also led to a more hands-on learning experience, with students taking on expanded roles. For many, this means stepping out of their comfort zones and exploring new aspects of broadcasting, from the mundane operation of cameras to the technically challenging managing of live graphics and sound mixing. Holmes admits that the shift has required him to adapt as well. 

 

"I am no technology guru. I don’t think that I am technologically illiterate, but I do not have the expertise that a Tyler Campbell or a Shaffer Broughton ’27 have," Holmes said. "I have had to 'up my game' in regard to knowledge of technology and how all the pieces work in concert."

 

With new capabilities have come new challenges. Holmes shared that while the new gear has elevated production quality, it has also increased the logistical complexities of organizing broadcasts. "Scheduling events has become more of a challenge as we expand our offerings," he said.

 

Recently, the team traveled to Richmond with a caravan of 12 students to broadcast a game, an experience that showcased the dedication of WFSPN’s members. "I’m not sure that everyone realizes that our student members of WFSPN give up opportunities to do other things to provide this service," Holmes added.

 

Despite the enthusiasm, the team has faced its share of technological setbacks. Broadcasting away games presents challenges, as internet quality varies significantly between venues. Holmes recalled a particularly challenging experience at the season opener against Flint Hill. 

 

"Flint Hill could not possibly have been better hosts, but their internet connection was very weak," he said. "Not their fault at all, but difficult to use for broadcasts, resulting in a subpar broadcast." 

 

This incident highlighted the difficulties of relying on external factors, but WFSPN has taken steps to mitigate these issues, such as a recent partnership with Starlink to ensure better internet connectivity on the road.

 

As WFSPN continues to adapt and expand, the impact on student engagement has been profound. More students are joining the team, both out of interest in the upgraded technology and out of necessity due to the increased demand for hands-on roles. Campbell has seen firsthand how students’ enthusiasm for video production has translated into a deeper commitment to the work. 

 

"Having good equipment is a plus, but how you use it is what matters. I believe the few broadcasts we have run at full capacity have been quite strong as it relates to production quality," he explained. "We still have to work on consistency, but that will come over time as we all improve our talents and level of comfort with the equipment."

 

Beyond the technical skills, the experience of working with WFSPN provides students with valuable life lessons. Campbell believes that live broadcasting is an ideal environment for developing critical soft skills. "Live broadcasting is a great arena to learn how to work well in a group setting and communicate effectively. Broadcasts can get messy and chaotic, but through that, I hope that students learn how to think critically in high-stress moments and be solution-driven individuals," he said. 

 

The community has noticed the changes. Parents have expressed their appreciation for the enhanced viewing experience, and even rival schools’ families have complimented the professionalism of WFSPN’s broadcasts. Holmes takes pride in these reactions and sees them as a sign that the team is on the right track. "Our audience response has been extremely positive as we provide more broadcasts and better broadcasts," he said.

 

Looking ahead, WFSPN is focused on expanding its reach even further. One of Holmes’s main goals is to offer video coverage for more junior varsity and Bengal-level events, which have traditionally been limited to audio-only broadcasts due to internet constraints. "I think that an audio-only broadcast of a JV or Bengal event certainly makes parents happy, but providing a video experience of their son's games and matches would please parents even more," Holmes said. 

 

With ongoing support from the school, benefactors, and the Woodberry community, WFSPN aims to continue building on its recent successes. 

 

"Through the generosity of the school, our benefactors, and those who support and are loyal to WFSPN, hopefully, we can continue expanding our coverage and options," Holmes said.

>> Reporting by Lucas Dunlap ’25