One Year Ago, A Blog Was Born

Monday, July 31 marks the one year anniversary of the day HSGN went online as a new resource in high school sports and game shows.

HSGN began after examiner.com, the website the creator of this blog wrote since January 2011 went out of business, leaving him a bit distraught.  Over the last six years as a high school sports examiner, many state tournaments were attended without buying a ticket and acquaintances were made as well as the opportunity to interview athletes, coaches, tournament personnel and fellow media members.  But on July 10, examiner.com folded and it gave an opportunity to continue writing on his own.  So that gave to the birth of HSGN.

The focus was very similar to what was written for examiner.com and also included college and professional sports.  Also included were stories about game shows past and present to broaden the scope of material for HSGN.

Over the inaugural year, HSGN still covered the Prep Bowl and the state basketball and hockey tournaments.  There were also stories about St, Louis Park High School and Groves Academy games that the creator also does the public address announcing.  In september, HSGN took a drive to Woodbury to cover the Homecoming game between the East Ridge Raptors and the Woodbury Royals and do an interview with the Raptors top running back who will now be playing for new Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach P.J. Fleck, Dominick London.

Another road trip took place in November when HSGN covered the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights Class AAAA state quarterfinal football game at Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom.  The Red Knights would go on to win their first state title with wins over Marshall and Winona.

Basketball and hockey were hot topics in a cold winter for HSGN.  In addition to St. Louis Park hockey and Groves Academy basketball, there was coverage of the Breakdown Tip Off Classic at Hopkins High School in December and plenty of state tournament coverage in March that also included the DeLaSalle Islanders sixth straight Class AAA title.  Following the state tournament, head coach Dave Thorson resigned to become an assistant coach at Drake University in Des Moines, IA.  He was replaced by former Islander Travis Bledsoe.  HSGN was also present to cover one of the most memorable state boys hockey championship games when the Hermantown Hawks beat the Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake Moose in double overtime to win their second consecutive state Class A title.  It was also the final state title for Hawks head coach Bruce Plante as he retired after a long career at the Twin Ports high school.
As the weather got warmer and athletes starting playing outside, HSGN was on hand for St. Louis Park lacrosse and baseball.  The creator also made his debut as the PA voice for Oriole baseball for the first time since he started announcing at the school in 1995.

In addition, there were historical pieces on game shows, such as the 50th anniversary of Hollywood Squares' debut and the 60th anniversary of the birth of a show that became a bigger hit in it's revival, The Price is Right.

What lies ahead for HSGN in Year Two?  Staying with it's mission in covering high school sports as well as writing about other levels of competition and game shows.  There's a lot more to come once fall sports practice begins August 14.