D60 and D70 students collaborate to produce Pigskin Classic broadcast

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- On Friday night, the annual rivalry matchup between Pueblo West and Pueblo County kicked off. While the rivalry was renewed on the gridiron, students from both districts came together to produce a broadcast of the game for all to enjoy.

This year, the production of the game was viewed by thousands that were not able to be at the game in person. Students from Pueblo West and Pueblo County high schools joined forces to create a high quality broadcast.

Ben Cason, an aspiring play by play broadcaster and graduate of Rye High School called the game from the press box.

“Those kids blew me away with the shots they got, watching it it felt like I was doing a professional broadcast," Cason said.

The D60 and D70 students were equipped with professional gear, allowing them to integrate instant replays and graphics into the broadcast.

For Cason, he hadn't called a football game in 15 to 16 months due to COVID. The lay off made this call extra special for the D60 graduate.

“There was one word that was kind of in my head that whole day and it was belonging. I had a good sense of belonging when I was calling that game.”

The sports production was made possible because of D60's communications team lead by supervisor Donny Ruybal.

Ruybal leads a team of students that help facilitate live sports production for the Pigskin Classic, Bell Game, and other notable Pueblo football rivalries.

“They are helping tell the story, by being able to use this high definition equipment and be able to really zoom in and focus in and provide a look that most be are only accustomed to when they watch ESPN, or when they watch football on Saturday and Sundays," Ruybal said.

The production of Friday's Pigskin Classic allowed for family members of players to view the game on D60's Facebook page, if they were unable to attend in person.

“We are able to come in and deploy our resources and our expertises and our equipment to be able to satisfy those needs where families couldn’t come to the stadium," Ruybal said. "We provided them an experience on their phone, on their mobile devices, or their computers to watch the game.”

Many of the students in the D60 communications team are beginning to learn the fundamentals of television production. Learning that will serve them far beyond their high school years.

“I’m getting chills on my arms right now just thinking about how we have opened doors for students just through experiences," Ruybal said.

Ultimately, the D60 production leaders are helping to train the next generation of directors, producers or broadcasters.

Cason said, “It was just a reminder this week of how much I loved it and missed it. Just the energy of being around and people buzzing around and people coming to the stands and watching the game. It was just a good reminder."

The D60 production team will be back in action for the Bell Game between Centennial and County high schools on October 29th.