LaCrosse streams sports live on-line for local, distant fans

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Oct 26, 20170

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LaX livestream

The Oct. 20 St. John/Endicott/LaCrosse vs. Sunnyside Christian game is viewed on a device.

LaCrosse sports fans do not have to travel to watch their kids play anymore, thanks to the efforts of Jeff Gates who is streaming the games live on the internet.

Gates, the LaCrosse history teacher and technology director, has been attending LaCrosse games since 2016 to stream the students’ games for those who are not able to be there in person.

“It’s like a TV, but it’s over the internet,” Gates explained about streaming the games. Prior to the start of the game, Gates sets up his tablet. He links to a website, thecube.com, and while the tablet records, it is instantly available to anyone watching on-line. Thecube.com is a website designed for free streaming of live events. After the game is over, the event remains on The Cube for 30 days, which also makes it possible for the students who played to watch themselves afterward.

Last year, Gates did the LaCrosse home games and both district basketball games in Colfax. He noted that he is not always able to broadcast when the team is on the road because of the wi-fi connection at those other places.

Before the game, Gates shares a link to the event website via the LaCrosse school’s Facebook page. That link is often shared by others from there. Gates commented that last year he covered a LaCrosse versus Oakesdale game and shared the link with Oakesdale to let their fans watch.

Gates has received a lot of positive feedback for his efforts. He recalled one Pomeroy parent watched a game from Hawaii.

“You have a lot of people who have moved away, but still want to watch (the kids),” he said.

While streaming the game, Gates also does some announcing to go along with the game. He noted that Pullman streams all their games and makes a program out of it.

“Our’s is a much simpler operation,” he said. While it is a one-man show now, he would like to incorporate it into a class and get students involved.

“It would be very easy for another school to get into,” he added. The Cube site is very user-friendly. The site is free, but a person could pay for more premium service if they so choose. The only detouring factor could be the area’s wi-fi connection.