High School Sports Media Conference
Ouachita Sports Digital Network
High School Sports Media Conference
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Walker Conference Center, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark.
Professionals from various areas within the sports media industry will gather at Ouachita Baptist University for the Fourth Annual High School Sports Media Conference hosted by the Ouachita Sports Digital Network, the student sports media production program at Ouachita.
High school students are invited to hear from professionals in fields including broadcast production, sports photography and videography, play-by-play, sports journalism and sports radio. Students may choose to attend one of two sessions scheduled each hour.
Admission is free and will include lunch and a t-shirt. Phil Elson, host of “Halftime” on ESPN Arkansas, will broadcast his show live from the conference from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Chris Babb at [email protected].
| 8:15-8:45 a.m. | Check-In |
| 8:50 a.m. | Welcome |
| 9-11:50 a.m. | Breakout Sessions |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:10-2 p.m. | Final Breakout Session |
| 2 p.m. |
Optional Tour
|
Panelists are subject to change.
9 a.m.
Play-by-Play | Walker Conference Center
- Phil Elson – Arkansas Women's Basketball and Baseball; Host of "Halftime" on ESPN Arkansas
- Patrick Netherton – ESPN+ for Northwestern State (LA) Football, Basketball, Baseball and Softball
- Jeff Root – ArkadelphiaBadgerTV.com; Ouachita Football Network
Sports Video | McBeth Recital Hall
- Matthew Branch – Creative Director, UCA Athletics
- Tony Ranchino – HOGS+
10 a.m.
Broadcast Production | Walker Conference Center
- Matt Johnson – M&M Productions
- Kris Reed – TFS Broadcast
- Michael Westbrook – Hornet Media
Sportswriting | McBeth Recital Hall
- Mark Buffalo – Sports Editor - Log Cabin Democrat, Herald Publishing Co.
- Brian Ramsey – Ouachita Athletic Communications
- Kyle Sutherland – Publisher, HawgBeat.com/On3
- Erick Taylor – High School and GAC Beat Reporter, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
11 a.m.
Sports Photography | Walker Conference Center
- Matthew Branch – UCA Athletic Creative Director
- Mark Buffalo – Sports Editor - Log Cabin Democrat, Herald Publishing Co.
- John Bunch – Texas A&M-Texarkana, JBunch Photography
- Isaac Edwards – Isaac's Frames, SMU Football Creative
- Ted McClenning – Bears Den Photography
TV Sports | McBeth Recital Hall
- Jack Allen – Sports Reporter, KATV Channel 7
- Tyler Cass – Sports Director, KTHV - Today's THV 11
- Nick Lutrell – Sports Reporter, KTHV - Today's THV 11
- Courtney Mims – Sports Director, KLRT Fox 16
- Paige Riley – Reporter, KARK Channel 4
Lunch
Creative Video/Cinematic Video | Walker Conference Center
- Matthew Branch – Creative Director, UCA Athletics
- Isaac Edwards – Isaac's Frames, SMU Football Creative
- Cole Shipp – Ouachita Sports Digital Network, Ouachita Tiger Football Creative
1 p.m.
Women in Sports Media | McBeth Recital Hall
HOSTED BY OBU STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SPORTS MEDIA
- Christina Long – Managing Editor, Hawgs Illustrated
- Courtney Mims – Sports Director, KLRT Fox 16
- Paige Riley – Reporter, KARK Channel 4
- Deborah Root – Chair, Rogers Department of Communications, OBU
Podcasting | Walker Conference Center
- Patrick Netherton – ESPN+ for Northwestern State (LA) Football, Basketball, Baseball and Softball, BBQ Hound Podcast
- Kyle Sutherland – Publisher, HawgBeat.com/On3
Some of our speakers include:
Jack Allen – Sports Reporter/Anchor KATV | Channel 7
Matthew Branch – Creative Content Director | UCA Athletics
Mark Buffalo – Sports Editor | Log Cabin Democrat
John Bunch – JBunch Photography | Texas A&M-Texarkana
Tyler Cass – Sports Director | THV 11
Isaac Edwards – Photographer/Videographer | Isaac's Frames
Phil Elson – Host of "Halftime" | ESPN Arkansas; Play-by-Play Voice of Arkansas Razorback Baseball & Women's Basketball
Matt Johnson – M&M Productions
Christina Long – Hawgs Illustrated
Nick Luttrell – Sports Reporter | KTHV Little Rock
Ted McClenning – Sports Photographer | Bears Den Photography
Courtney Mims – Sports Director | KLRT-Fox 16 Little Rock
Patrick Netherton – ESPN+ | BBQ Hound Podcast
Brian Ramsey – Ouachita Baptist Athletic Communications
Tony Ranchino – Videographer/Editor | Hogs+
Kris Reed – TFS Broadcast
Paige Riley – Reporter | KARK Channel 4
Jeff Root – Ouachita Football Network/ArkadelphiaBadgerTV.com
Cole Shipp – Cole Shipp Media/OSDN
Kyle Sutherland – HawgBeat | On3/Rivals
Erick Taylor – Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Michael Westbrook – Advisor/Play-by-Play | Hornet Media and ESPN+
