Bridgeport High School added another state title to its list last Saturday, April 27. And for those who might be keeping count, it was the eighth title in this particular genre.
If you think you may have missed it, you have not. This title is not for anything done by BHS student-athletes. Instead, the title won was the result of arduous work by those covering the student-athletes at Bridgeport High School.
The Indians Radio Network is the group we are talking about here. They were awarded the West Virginia Broadcasters Association best high school broadcast of the year for 2024, for a football broadcast. As noted, this is not the first time it has happened.
And for those who know Travis Jones is heading up the operations that led to the award, no one is likely surprised. As for Jones, no matter how many honors racked up by the network, it is always good to get recognized.
“Certainly, we’re pleased with the result because it is the result of a lot of hard work be several people,” said Jones.
Before getting there, a little rewind on the particular honor. The award at the WVBA ceremony was part of the group’s annual meeting that rotates between Morgantown and Charleston. This year, the event was held in Morgantown, where radio and television broadcasters across West Virginia were recognized for their work. Jones said it has been taking place for roughly 20 years.
“There are 40 different award categories for television and radio that are handed out,” he said. “The category we won our title in was for play by play in a rated (bigger) market in the state. For what we do, this honor is the equivalent of station of the year or anchor of the year in television.”
By going in the “rated” market, the Indians Radio Network was doing just what they do on the football field. They went up against the big boys from Martinsburg, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Charleston.
“We’ve won our fair share in the probably two decades it’s been taking place, but there have been some consecutive years where we haven’t won. The good news is that the majority of the time is someone from our family of stations that walks away with the honor,” said Jones.
So, how is it decided?
There are no homecourt advantages here. Similar to the old West Virginia Press Association honors similar associations in surrounding states oversee the voting. Jones said West Virginia shares rotational voting with broadcasters in Kentucky and Virginia. He was not sure what state oversaw those duties for West Virginia this year.
Jones was sure what led to the win. It involves a Class AAA quarterfinal win on the road against the No. 1 team in West Virginia.
“We used a three-minute clip, actually a montage, of the game against Cabel Midland,” said Jones of the 41-21 win back on Nov. 17, 2023.
The clip probably featured Jones prominently. But the show does not work without the a few heard voices and few others behind the scenes. The front men are Jones, color analyst Chris George, and sideline reporter Brent Kimble.
“Chris has been here for several years with me, but he’s been around Bridgeport athletics for a long time, for a long time with the baseball team,” said Jones. “Brent is the newest member, and we were fortunate to get him because he did broadcast work at Buckhannon-Upshur and was the co-founder of their sports network. We were fortunate when he began teaching here that he agreed to join us.”
Jones said the trio has great cohesion, and some of it is related to being together now for several years. He said that eliminates his biggest pet peeve on broadcasting – hearing the commentators talk over one another.
“With Chris, he’s at a point where he knows when I’m taking a break and knows when to jump in,” said Jones. “Even though Brent is on the sideline, he’s like a secondary color analyst. His mic is open all the time and that’s why I truly consider us a three-man team.”
There are a few other team members Jones wanted to make sure were recognized. He pointed to the operators of the parabolic microphone. For those that don’t know, the individuals carrying what looks to be a small, plastic satellite dish on the sidelines at the BHS games are the individuals Jones is referring to.
Chris Cleghorn is responsible for doing the duties at home. Eric Conner does road games.
“I’m all about bells and whistles and like to have things no one else has and can tell you we’re the only high school in West Virginia with a parabolic mic, and it’s a crucial part of the broadcast,” said Jones. “That allow you hear the whistle, the pads popping, and the cadence of the quarterback.”
For those thinking it takes no skill to do that, Jones said those individuals would be wrong. He said the microphone is “extremely directional.” Because of that, you have to have a skillset of not just knowing exactly where to point, but how to follow the action.
“They have done it to the point they are really good at handling it,” said Jones.
Count yours truly as one of the individuals who knows the honor is well deserved. With my colleague Chris Johnson managing football now, I usually listen to a portion of the games on the radio or follow the synced radio call with the YouTube video feed.
It is just as good away from the stadium as to actually be in the booth and hear from a foot away, which I did for more than a decade. And for anyone who has had the privilege of being in the booth before, during, and after a game, you know there is serious work put in to provide those listening with the best product available.
Congratulations to Travis and the crew on the eighth honor. The win is not surprising. Not having more is the only thing surprising.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Travis Jones doing some play by play away from the BHS press box, while sideline reporter Brent Kimble is shown in the second photo. In the third image, Jones is shown with color analyst Chris George. Top two photos are file shots from Ben Queen Photography. Bottom photo is of the award.
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