In recent years, coverage of high school sports has expanded exponentially. National media outlets and organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) have begun spotlighting athletes at younger ages, and platforms like MaxPreps now exist to track and promote high school teams and players. While this rise in attention shows the growing popularity of high school athletics, it also poses a challenge for schools’ internal, often student-run journalism programs. Traditionally, the responsibility of documenting and covering student athletes has belonged to on-campus publications like The Chronicle here at the school, as they can uniquely tell stories from within the community rather than from the outside looking in.
As high school sports coverage becomes increasingly professionalized, it is easy to overlook the value of school journalism. The school’s programs like HW Media and The Chronicle have more authenticity, something national outlets cannot replicate. Student journalists do not just report on the final score; but sit in class with the athletes, know the coaches and understand what it means to be part of the school. When stories are told by students, not only performances are captured, but also personality and the ever-important balance between being a student and being an athlete. By prioritizing interviews with student journalists, athletes would help maintain this authenticity.
When a player chooses to speak with The Chronicle before MaxPreps, they are not turning down exposure; they are choosing accuracy and depth over quick stories. MaxPreps even uses AI to write many of its article recaps, according to the LASA Liberator, which makes stories feel even more generic. Outside companies usually focus on numbers, and while those details matter, they do not show everything. Reporters here at The Chronicle, however, try to show the person behind the stats: the kid who has late practices, deals with team chemistry and learns from defeat. This kind of reporting reflects the school’s values and strengthens its identity.
Accuracy, meaning telling the full story, not just reporting stats, is another key reason to report in school. High school journalists know the players and the context, which is why we recognize that what looks like a slump on paper is often just the result of facing top-ranked competition or that a senior captain’s leadership goes further than what is seen on the field. That level of insight can be lost in professional coverage. By talking to their school’s media first, athletes can trust that they will be represented truthfully because it’s one of their peers representing them.
Ultimately, choosing to speak first with a school reporter isn’t about limiting publicity; it’s about taking ownership of the school’s story. When athletes help The Chronicle tell stories first, they help ensure that their achievements, challenges and leadership are shown with the understanding and integrity that are seen from within the school. National companies like MaxPreps will always have their place, but the base of a student’s athletic story should begin where it belongs, with the people who know it and them best.
