York native’s livestream platform empowers local high school athletes
- Dew Jones brought together his passion for youth sports and video production to launch Sports Shooting Stars, which livestreams Central Pennsylvania high school athletics, such as basketball and football.
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The basketball video feed goes live as Sports Shooting Stars CEO and Director of Media Dew Jones and broadcast partner Todd Miller stand on the Central York Panthers’ sideline, offering insights to fans about many of York and Adams Countys’ elite high school athletes.
“We genuinely care about the kids,” Dew says. “We really focus on giving them a bigger platform.”
A York native
Dew is not new to York County high school athletics. He grew up in York and played basketball for William Penn Senior High School in the 1990s.
Coaching youth sports became a passion for Dew after high school, especially when he became a father. While encouraging his young athletes―his kids and others on his teams―Dew became frustrated with the lack of news coverage of local sports.
At the same time in 2012, he launched his production company, 80s Baby Entertainment. He wrote, directed, and edited a full-length comedy film.
For the love of the game
In 2017, Dew brought together his love of video production and sports to begin livestreaming high school basketball games.
“It’s something that was needed for York County,” he says. “Sports-wise, we have a lot of talent here but not a lot of platforms to show it off.”
Sports Shooting Stars began as a hobby, with Dew livestreaming a few games here and there. He quickly realized that he wasn’t the only one who craved coverage of local high school sports.
After two years of streaming high school basketball games on the Sports Shooting Stars Facebook and YouTube channels, Dew expanded to present 10 football games and 20 basketball games each season. He has worked with over 50 sponsors.
In the seventh season of Sports Shooting Stars streaming basketball games, Dew has seen his viewership jump from the hundreds to the thousands for each contest. His production team has grown to include videographer Belinda Morales, producer Clif Kern, fellow commentator Todd Edwards, and sideline reporter Marcellus Gotwalt. Their broadcasts include athlete interviews and Player of the Game awards.
‘Shoot for the stars’
Dew hopes that Sports Shooting Stars can connect with major sports leagues and big-time sponsors, allowing the company to livestream more games and become a household name. Those interested in sponsoring or working with their broadcast crew can reach out on social media by searching for Sports Shooting Stars.
As the venture expands, Dew’s goal remains to help young athletes take their next step.
“We want to change the narrative in York. You can go somewhere,” he says. “Being a student athlete is important; it’s a lot of work to be a student athlete. We want to highlight and empower Central Pennsylvania athletes to shoot for the stars.”