Streaming Davis Renov Stahler's games live

At Davis Renov Stahler (DRS) Yeshiva High School, hundreds of fans pack into “The Greenhouse,” the Woodmere-based school’s athletic wing, for a varsity hockey playoff game against the Kushner Cobras of Livingston, N.J. on Feb. 19.
The fans roar with excitement, chanting in unison to the beat of a snare drum as the teams march onto the court. Meanwhile, up in a designated space, the staff of DRS Live, the school’s broadcasting squad, is hard at work, preparing to stream the game live with play-by-play commentary and analysis to viewers across the globe.
Director Simcha Sommer, a junior at DRS, gives the cue and the game goes live. The broadcasters introduce the starting lineups, while the technical staff focuses the camera and monitors the live computer stream. Sommer and his staff are excited, but the game is just beginning, as the puck is dropped and the cheers of the fans grow louder. The DRS Wildcats win the face off, to the approval of much of the crowd.
“The purpose of DRS Live is to stream live games to both the students and parents of both our school and the school we are playing so they can watch the game even if they cannot attend it,” said Sommer, adding that alumni in Israel regularly tune into the broadcast to watch their alma mater. “It also allows the coaches of both teams to be able to re-watch the broadcast after the game and analyze how the team could have played better.”
Sommer revived the broadcasting club after a two-year hiatus. The club broadcasts most major home DRS hockey and basketball games live on drslive.com and YouTube, and hopes to expand its coverage to wrestling and flag football.

Play-by-play announcer Eitan Kaszovitz calls the game at a fast pace, yet in a calm matter while surveying the action on the court. “And David Soffer now bringing it back into the Kushner zone,” Kaszovitz said, as Soffer, a DRS senior, handled the puck. “Back, wide in front of the net; Moshe Genuth scores,” he exclaims as DRS scores its first goal of the night against Kushner goalie Jack Reiz on a power play.
Commentator Mikey Konigsberg, also a DRS junior, adds relevant analysis and commentary throughout the broadcast. “A very strong power play after hours of relentless practice,” said Konigsberg, who then explained the course of the play to viewers, as fans at DRS chant Genuth’s name. Later in the game, another junior, Rafi Appel, subs in for Konigsberg. “It’s a great area to get involved in and it’s also very fun to cheer on my friends and classmates,” Konigsberg said.
Maneuvering the camera while monitoring the quality of the broadcast, Sommer manages the entire broadcasting team. “There’s a lot of time and energy that goes into this to make it work out,” he said regarding broadcasting. “We’re constantly improving and adding new features.”
It takes a devoted and strong-minded individual to manage the broadcast and ensure that it runs smoothly, according to Sommer, who also serves as an editor on both the school’s student newspaper as well as its weekly Torah publication. “It takes dedication; it really is a lot of work every week to set everything up, and during the week as well, I am almost constantly working on some aspect of the broadcast to make it better and better, and it really takes a dedicated and determined mindset to keep it going.”
Wildcats mascot Wilbur stops by the broadcast booth, greeting younger fans on the way, who enjoy watching the announcers call the game and marvel at the equipment used. Soffer scored a pair of goals, leading to a roaring applause and chants from the crowd. The broadcasters take occasional breaks in the broadcast for “Torah Teasers” — biblical trivia questions — as well as advertisements from sponsors.
After an additional goal from senior Alex Fuchs in the third period, DRS wins 4-0. Fans celebrate on the court as the Wildcats advanced to the playoffs. Sommer watches on satisfied by the evening’s broadcast. “It went very well,” he said. “Thank god, everything went smoothly.”
Athletic Director Rabbi Michael Finkelstein said that the club benefits fans and broadcasters alike. “DRS Live is an excellent way for the students who either live far away from school or students who would like to stay home and study to enjoy the game,” he said. “It is also a great opportunity for the DRS Live staff to get valuable experience with the technical aspects of the production as well as the broadcasting aspect.”