Student Content Creator Guidelines
Why
One of the best parts of working in athletics is getting to tell the stories of our teams, coaches, and student-athletes. We also have students who are interested in photography, videography, graphic design, social media, and sports media but don't always have an opportunity to learn those skills in a real environment.
The HIES Athletics Content Team is meant to bridge that gap.
Our goal is to create a group of students who want to learn how to create great content while working alongside the HIES Athletics communications staff. Members will receive hands-on experience, feedback throughout the year, and opportunities to build a portfolio of work that extends beyond high school.
At the end of the day, we're not just trying to create better content. We're trying to help students become better storytellers.
Joining the Team
Any current HIES student with an interest in content creation may apply to join the team. Photography and videography will likely make up most of our event coverage, but opportunities may also include graphic design, social media content, writing, and other creative projects.
This isn't about finding students who already know everything. We're looking for students who are excited to learn, willing to accept feedback, and interested in helping tell the story of HIES Athletics.
Before receiving a HIES Athletics credential, students must meet with Coach Ammons and/or Coach Mills. This gives us an opportunity to learn what you're interested in creating, talk through expectations, and make sure you're prepared before covering your first event.
Students must remain in good academic standing with the school to participate in the HIES Athletics Content Team.
Learning Before Varsity
Everyone starts somewhere.
New members will typically begin by covering middle school or junior varsity contests before receiving varsity sideline credentials. These events give students an opportunity to learn how athletic events operate, practice creating content in a live environment, and receive feedback before moving into varsity assignments.
This isn't a punishment or a hurdle to clear. It's an opportunity to polish your work and make sure you're prepared to create good content when you get the opportunity to cover a varsity event.
Advancement isn't based on completing a certain number of games. As students demonstrate that they're ready, they'll have opportunities to cover varsity contests, rivalry games, postseason competition, and some of our biggest events.
Covering Events
A HIES Athletics credential is a privilege, not a guarantee.
Some events have plenty of room for student creators. Others don't. The number of available credentials will depend on the venue, safety considerations, significance of the event, and needs of the athletics department.
When more students are interested in an event than we can reasonably credential, priority will be given to the students who have demonstrated the best overall body of work within the program. That includes quality, but it also includes reliability, professionalism, coachability, consistent participation, willingness to improve, and being a good teammate.
We're not necessarily looking for the student who takes the single best photo. We're looking for students who consistently make the entire program better.
Credentials are issued for specific events and should not be assumed to provide access to other HIES contests.
HIES Athletics credentials are valid only for events hosted on the HIES campus or at other approved HIES home venues. They do not provide access to away contests or other off-campus events.
Expectations
When you're wearing a HIES Athletics credential, you're representing more than yourself.
Show up on time and prepared. Respect coaches, officials, athletes, spectators, and other members of the media. Stay aware of your surroundings and remember that safety always comes first. When you're credentialed to cover an event, you're working as a member of the Content Team, not attending as a spectator.
A credential gives you access to cover the event, but it does not give you unrestricted access to team spaces. Students may not enter dugouts, benches or coaching areas, locker rooms, training rooms, team meeting spaces, or other restricted areas without permission from the head coach prior to the event.
If access to one of these areas would benefit a specific project or piece of content, reach out to the coach ahead of time. Coach Ammons must be copied on that communication so the athletics communications staff knows what has been requested and approved.
Listen when you're given direction by a coach, official, administrator, or member of the athletics communications staff. Be willing to ask questions, accept feedback, and continue improving. Nobody is expected to have everything figured out on day one.
Your Content
Content created while using a HIES Athletics credential must be shared with the athletics communications staff. This includes the full body of usable work from the event, not simply a selection of favorite photos or clips.
When possible, students should provide their edited work to HIES Athletics within one week of covering an event.
Remember, you are students first and the content is something extra. In the event of a tight deadline or busy academic schedule, adjustments can always be accommodated with communication.
Content created through the program is subject to review by HIES Athletics. Content created while using a HIES Athletics credential should be submitted to the athletics communications staff before being independently published or distributed. HIES Athletics reserves the right to request the removal of content that is inappropriate, misrepresents HIES Athletics, creates concerns for a student-athlete or family, or otherwise does not meet the expectations of the Content Team. Failure to follow these expectations may result in loss of credential privileges.
HIES Athletics may use Content Team work across the athletics website, social media, digital displays, publications, marketing materials, and other school communications. Creator credit will be provided on the athletics website when applicable.
Commercial Work
A HIES Athletics credential cannot be used to operate a personal creative business.
Students may not charge HIES student-athletes or their families for photography, video, graphics, or other creative services performed while using a HIES Athletics credential or while covering an event on behalf of HIES Athletics.
Students are welcome to pursue independent freelance work outside of the program. The distinction is simple: access provided by HIES Athletics cannot be used to create a paid opportunity.
Equipment
Students are responsible for providing and maintaining their own equipment.
HIES Athletics does not provide cameras, lenses, computers, editing software, or other creative equipment for participation in the program and cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal equipment.
Recognition
We want to celebrate great work.
Throughout the year, HIES Athletics may feature outstanding student work through Student Creator Spotlights and other recognition across athletics platforms. Great content comes in a lot of forms, so recognition won't be limited to photography.
Yearbook and Other School Programs
These guidelines apply specifically to students credentialed through HIES Athletics.
Yearbook photographers and students working on behalf of another school program operate under the direction of that program. Their access is not governed by the HIES Athletics Content Team assignment process unless they are also requesting or using a HIES Athletics credential.
Maintaining Access
The goal is to teach, not look for reasons to take credentials away.
That said, access may be limited or revoked when a student repeatedly fails to meet Content Team expectations or when there is a significant issue involving safety, conduct, restricted areas, commercial use, failure to submit content, academic standing, or misuse of a HIES Athletics credential.
HIES Athletics and the greater school administration reserve the right to suspend or revoke a student's credential when necessary.
Whenever possible, we'll address problems through conversation and feedback first.
