Articles
2018 – The VNN Year in Review
For VNN, 2018 was the year of the connected future. From communities, to software partners, to brands and local businesses, we spent the year working on our goal to connect the pieces of high school sports.
Before we hit the ground running in 2019, let’s recap the best highlights that made 2018 a year worth remembering.
January
VNN partners with the Semper Fidelis All-American Program
Our team began the year at VNN connecting Intersport and the US Marines to exceptional student-athletes who are making an impact in their communities.
Holiday Tournaments Showcase the Best at VNN Partner Schools
Two of the largest invitational basketball tournaments of the year were hosted at VNN schools including the Chick-Fil-A Classic at Richland Northeast (SC), and the Les Schwab Invitational at Liberty High School in Portland (OR). Oak Hill Academy won both, beating formidable foes IMG Academy (FL) and Mater Dei (CA) to win.
February
National Signing Day
Across the VNN network our partner schools celebrated athletes committing to play sports at the next level from track, soccer, and lacrosse among other sports, including 20 of the Nation’s Top 100 Football recruits.
VNN and the University of Michigan Medicine Combat Distracted Driving
Aimed to increase awareness to the dangers of distracted driving to teens and their parents across Michigan Medicine’s footprint, VNN connected the University of Michigan Medicine Health System, CS Mott Children’s Hospital, and re:group Media to communities across Metro Detroit to promote the Drive Smart campaign.
March
VNN Partners with RegisterMyAthlete
The collaboration connected powerful registration software to VNN’s SportsHub platform, making participating in sports easy for parents and athletes.
Life University becomes one of VNN’s longest education partners, sponsoring schools for their third year
The Georgia-based University, known for its chiropractic programs, connects to and supports nearly 100 schools through the VNN network.
April
“The Future of High School Sports is a Connected One”
Our CEO, Ryan Vaughn, penned an editorial about the power of schools being able to choose the best products in the industry and have them all work together.
VNN launches Team Shops and Online eCommerce Fundraising
Team Shops simplified school fundraising efforts by connecting teams to the everyday purchases parents, athletes and fans make already online.
May
8to18 and VNN Announce Scheduling Partnership
The partnership connected the top scheduling software-maker to VNN SportsHub websites.
June
Rapid Replay and VNN count-down the 2017-18 school year’s best of the best
Each week throughout the Summer, Rapid Replay and VNN staffers hand-picked their favorite fan-captured highlights across all sports, connecting fans to their athletic departments.
July
VNN and three major medical systems launch Sports Medicine Libraries
The initiative, kicked off between VNN, Northside Hospital (Georgia), Henry Community Health (Indiana), and Premier Health System (Ohio) connected health resources and content to local high school athletics websites nationwide.
August
Amazon Business and VNN Launch the Pro Shop
The Pro Shop connects athletic departments to equipment purchases alongside the key administrative and content creation functions they already use to manage and engage with their local sports communities.
VNN Launches One: The High School Sports Podcast
The podcast connected athletic directors and their stories to listeners from across the country.
September
Reebok, JJ Watt, and VNN Celebrate Houston’s Best Comeback Stories
To promote the launch of the JJ II Clean Slate and JJ Watt’s return to the gridiron, VNN connected Houston’s athletic communities to the brand with a contest to uncover the region’s best comeback stories.
October
Regional Athlete of the Month Contests Launch in Chicago and Central Texas
The contests, sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings franchisees and A+ Federal Credit Union, celebrated athletes at multiple schools.
Team Photos on Team Pages
The feature, giving athletic directors and their coaches the ability to showcase team photos on their SportsHub Team pages was highly-requested.
November
VNN becomes corporate partner of Grand Rapids Art Museum
The relationship began with our collaborating on the sports photography exhibit “Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present,” open through January 13, 2019.
December
Young Influencers Make an Impact at VNN Schools
Several communities utilized their SportsHub websites in 2018 to create learning opportunities for young journalists, which was covered in the media.
Team VNN and Partners exhibit together at the 2018 NIAAA National Athletic Directors Conference
VNN, 8to18, RegisterMyAthlete, RallyAroundUs, and Rapid Replay shared booth space to better demonstrate the power of connected high school sports software.
Mishawaka (IN) cavemensports.com interviews Caveman legend Al Smith
For 32 seasons, Smith led the Mishawaka (IN) Caveman wrestling program to 15 Northern Indiana Conference crowns, 14 Regional Titles, 2 Semi-States and the 1991 Indiana State Championship.
More
School Board Approves $46.5M in Renovations for North Dallas High School
The renovations will include a new 2,000-seat gym, purchasing Haskell Avenue from the City of Dallas to make the block part of the NDHS campus, and a courtyard.
“It’s kinda tricky too. it’s pretty iconic, historical building,” he said. “You don’t want to change it too much, but obviously, it needs some upgrades. I don’t think you’ll see anything on the exterior that’s different but maybe improvements. You’ve already seen new windows. It’s going to be cleaned up on the outside, but there won’t be any physical changes on the outside that you can see, except the courtyard,” said North Dallas Athletic Coordinator Brian Barnett.
Godinez (CA) Student-Athlete Keana Pola Signs with Nebraska University
Blake High School (MD) Alumni College Report Goes Live
The weekly update spotlights how Blake Bengal alumni are faring in college athletics.
Check it Out
Benton Panthers (AR) Plays in their first Football State Championship Game Since 1977
The Panthers headed back to War Memorial Stadium to finish the season where it started, and took on Greenwood. Ultimately they fell just short.
Yeshivah of Flatbush (NY) Welcomes Israeli Club for a Chanukah Basketball Friendly
The Falcons celebrated the third day of Chanukah facing off against Elitzur Rehovot Basketball Club from Israel, and sharing a post-game joint team meal.
Maryland Football State Champs Quince Orchard (MD) visit Pardon the Interruption
The coaches dropped off a Cougar helmet to the set for display during December 3rd’s show.
Vermilion (OH) launches new YouTube channel, using student-captured on-field footage from Varsity Football's comeback win against Edison HS
