Healthy Community Initiative

Capturing school spirit and mentoring students in sports broadcasting

Ten minutes to game time, eighth grader Sam Mathews puts on a headset, scans a script, and prepares to go on the air. As a junior varsity soccer player, he’d probably attend this match anyway, to cheer on the varsity boys. But thanks to NorthfieldLive, he is getting paid to share his enthusiasm and student perspective with an audience of thousands of people.

Lance Reisetter started NorthfieldLive in 2021, inspired by his son AJ’s interest in sports broadcasting. He quickly discovered that the opportunity appealed to a variety of students.

“Most kids don’t purse this in college, but they love exploring the technology, being around the camera, and coming to the games. Several have used it to improve their communication skills,” he said.

Last year, NorthfieldLive covered 151 athletic events and activities, from football to the Area Learning Center graduation. This year, more than 40 students in grades 6–12 are expected to participate, mentored by several adults.

“We put them in controllable, uncomfortable situations a lot,” Reisetter said, noting that no broadcast goes as planned. “I could honestly write a book about putting kids in tough spots and overcoming them—it’s been amazing.”