It’s a sweltering summer day in early August. Brothers Joe and Tom Nesbitt stroll down onto the football field at Waco ISD Stadium where they are set to film a series of short promotional videos for their second season as the official radio broadcast of Waco High School Football.
This time last year, on the eve of their first broadcast, the brothers—Joe, Tom and older brother, Bill—had a few nerves, even fewer sponsors, and absolutely no experience.
Frustrated with the lack of air time for Waco High School Football—the brothers’ high school alma mater—they contacted Waco ISD to inquire about putting the games back on the radio. The brothers would raise the money, volunteer their time and find a station to broadcast the games. The school district obliged, and the rest is history—a history that includes the Waco High Lions’ thrilling run to the third round of the state playoffs.
For their second season, the broadcast crew (which has now expanded to include Central National Bank’s Treasury Management Specialist Bryan Fonville) returns with experience, enthusiasm, and a slate of committed sponsors.
What a difference a year makes.
“We thought it was going to be fun. But the team’s success and the community’s involvement made it far better than we imagined,” said Tom Nesbitt, an attorney in Austin. “This year, our goal is to actually be competent. We’ll see.”
With several games under their belt, they hope to continue enhancing the quality of the broadcast by giving Waco High fans more ways to participate and engage through social media. At the mid-point of last season, the brothers introduced a Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel, all in an effort to further connect with listeners.
“It was fun to watch the Waco community get behind their school as the season progressed,” said Joe Nesbitt, president at Central National Bank. “All the Facebook comments and tweets really made our jobs even that much more fun. Not to mention, it helps give these young student athletes the exposure they deserve for putting in the time and effort to represent their school and their community, both in the classroom and on the field.”
Waco High kicks off its season at Waco ISD Stadium this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against Killeen Shoemaker in the 3rd Annual Derrick Johnson Kickoff Classic. All Waco High games are broadcast on 106.7 FM.