Media Day Madness: A behind-the-scenes look at LNP's media days [column]

Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, August 17th 2025 at 6:43 GMT by LancasterOnline
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In August 2022, players and coaches from 37 high school football teams graced the hallways of the LNP | LancasterOnline's offices in downtown Lancaster for LancasterOnline's first effort at hosting

Media Day Madness: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LNP's Media Days

In the world of high school sports journalism, few events capture the chaotic energy and excitement of the preseason quite like Media Days. For LNP | LancasterOnline, these annual gatherings serve as the unofficial kickoff to the fall sports season, transforming a local venue into a bustling hub of activity where athletes, coaches, and media converge. It's a whirlwind of photos, interviews, videos, and behind-the-scenes coordination that sets the stage for months of coverage, from football Fridays to cross-country meets. But beneath the polished previews and highlight reels lies a layer of organized madness that only those involved truly understand. This column pulls back the curtain on what it takes to make Media Days happen, revealing the highs, lows, and humorous hiccups that define this preseason ritual.

Picture this: It's early August, and the heat is already oppressive as the first wave of teams arrives at the designated location—often a school gym, field house, or community center in Lancaster County. The setup is meticulous yet makeshift. Tables are lined with clipboards for sign-ins, backdrops for team photos, and stations for individual headshots. Videographers adjust their cameras, reporters jot down questions, and photographers test lighting. The goal? To capture the essence of each team's story before the games even begin. For LNP's sports team, Media Days are more than just a photo op; they're an opportunity to build relationships, gather insights, and produce content that engages the community. Over two or three jam-packed days, dozens of teams from various sports—football, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, golf, tennis, and cross-country—rotate through, each allotted a tight window to shine.

The madness truly begins with the scheduling. Coordinating hundreds of athletes and coaches from schools across the county is no small feat. Emails fly back and forth for weeks, confirming times, rosters, and special requests. Some teams arrive early, eager and full of energy, while others trickle in late due to traffic or last-minute practice adjustments. Football squads, often the largest, dominate the space with their sheer numbers—linemen towering over everyone, quarterbacks practicing their media smiles. Coaches bark instructions, not for plays, but for poses: "Smile bigger!" or "Look tough!" Meanwhile, smaller teams like golf or tennis bring a quieter vibe, their athletes chatting casually about summer training or college aspirations.

One of the most entertaining aspects is the unscripted moments that unfold. Take, for instance, the inevitable wardrobe malfunctions— a player forgetting their jersey, leading to a frantic call home, or a team showing up in mismatched uniforms because the new kits haven't arrived yet. Then there are the personality clashes and breakthroughs. A shy freshman might freeze during an interview, only to open up when asked about their favorite video game, revealing a passion that ties into their on-field strategy. Coaches, too, let their guards down; a typically stoic football head might crack jokes about rivalries, or a volleyball coach could share heartfelt stories of team bonding trips. These interactions humanize the athletes, turning them from stats on a page into relatable figures for readers.

Photographers and videographers are the unsung heroes here, juggling equipment while directing groups of restless teens. Team photos require precision: aligning players by height, ensuring no one blinks, and capturing that perfect shot amid distractions like buzzing phones or laughter outbreaks. Individual headshots are quicker but no less challenging—convincing a self-conscious athlete to relax in front of the lens can take multiple tries. Video interviews add another layer, with questions ranging from season goals to fun hypotheticals like "If your team was a superhero squad, who'd be the leader?" The responses often yield gold: a soccer captain predicting a championship run, or a cross-country runner admitting their pre-race ritual involves blasting heavy metal to psych up.

Of course, not everything goes smoothly. Weather can be a wildcard— an unexpected downpour forces everyone indoors, cramming schedules and testing patience. Technical glitches, like a camera battery dying mid-shoot or a microphone picking up background noise, demand quick improvisations. And let's not forget the sheer volume: with multiple teams overlapping, the noise level rivals a pep rally. Reporters dash between stations, scribbling notes on standout players or emerging storylines, all while keeping an eye on the clock to avoid bottlenecks.

Yet, amid the chaos, there's a palpable sense of community. Media Days foster connections that extend beyond the event. Athletes from rival schools mingle, sharing laughs or friendly trash talk. Coaches network, swapping tips on training or scouting. For the media team, it's a chance to spot rising stars— the under-the-radar talent who might become the season's breakout story. These days also highlight the diversity of high school sports in Lancaster County, from powerhouse programs with deep traditions to smaller teams building from scratch. It's a reminder that sports journalism isn't just about wins and losses; it's about the people, the effort, and the stories that inspire.

As the days wrap up, with the last team filing out and equipment packed away, there's a collective sigh of relief mixed with satisfaction. The raw material gathered—thousands of photos, hours of footage, and pages of quotes—will fuel previews, features, and ongoing coverage. Fans will soon devour the content, from glossy team capsules to video highlights on the website. But for those who orchestrated the madness, the real reward is knowing they've captured the spirit of the season's dawn. Media Days aren't glamorous; they're gritty, fun, and essential. They embody the heart of local sports journalism: turning potential into narratives, one chaotic session at a time.

Reflecting on past years, patterns emerge. Some teams treat it like a red-carpet event, arriving polished and prepared, while others embrace the informality, leading to memorable bloopers. There was the time a field hockey team broke into an impromptu dance routine during photos, or when a tennis player aced an interview with witty one-liners that went viral on social media. These anecdotes stick, becoming part of the lore that makes each Media Day unique. Looking ahead, as sports evolve with new technologies like drones for aerial shots or AI-assisted editing, the core remains the same: human connection.

In essence, LNP's Media Days are a microcosm of high school sports—full of energy, unpredictability, and passion. They bridge the gap between summer downtime and fall frenzy, setting the tone for rivalries, triumphs, and heartbreaks to come. For anyone who's ever wondered what goes into those preseason spreads, it's this: a dash of planning, a heap of adaptability, and a whole lot of heart. As the teams depart, ready to hit the fields and courts, the media team knows they've laid the foundation for another unforgettable season.

Read the Full LancasterOnline Article at:
[ https://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/media-day-madness-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-lnps-media-days-column/article_149d3703-87cf-4f19-bd6b-91d2e8d14cec.html ]

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Media Day Madness: A behind-the-scenes look at LNP's media days [column]

Media Day Madness: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LNP's Media Days

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