A few years ago, Steve Divino’s son wanted to play volleyball at Staples High School.
Despite its success — and the excitement, camaraderie and fun of the game — volleyball is not on most students’ radar. There was concern there might not be a junior varsity team.
Steve and his son reached out to local media (not “06880!”) to showcase the program.
They were told: “Volleyball doesn’t get clicks.”
Staples volleyball: 2019 state champs — but not always well covered by media. (Photo/Jan van Arsdale)
Steve’s wife reminded him that years before, they had helped Earthplace Nursery School build a website. The visibility spurred its growth.
Why not do the same for volleyball? she asked.
Steve began covering the team: telling athletes’ stories, shooting videos, posting highlights.
Players loved it. Parents loved it. Interest in the program grew.
And PrepZone was born.
Steve added other sports. Soon, he covered every boys and girls varsity team — all 40 of them — every day.
Steve added interviews, spotlights, hype videos and podcasts. He introduced a morning feature, filming himself walking as he offered wrap-ups from the day before, and previews of contests to come.
Steve Divino, walking and talking.
PrepZone became must-see viewing, for students, parents, teachers and coaches. It was the one place to get news and information not only on the big sports — football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse — but all the others too, whose athletes work just as hard, with much less recognition: cross country. Swimming. Hockey. Skiing. Wrestling. Golf. Water polo.
And volleyball.
(There are other excellent sources for sports news of course, including the Ruden Report and GameTimeCT. But they concentrate on the major sports. They’re behind paywalls. And they don’t focus exclusively on the Staples Wreckers.)
This past fall though — as the boys soccer team drove to a state championship, the field hockey squad reached another state final, the football team welcomed a new coach, and all the other sports swung into action — PrepZone petered out.
Divino no longer chatted knowledgeably, during his early morning walks. Coaches were no longer interviewed. Back stories went untold.
In past falls, PrepZone chronicled the ups and downs of teams like boys soccer every day. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
It wasn’t for lack of interest. Divino cared as deeply as ever about Staples sports — even though his own sons have already graduated.
The reason was simple: “Prep Zone needs real money and resources to operate,” Divino says.
“This September, it became apparent we didn’t have the final means to continue to operate at the level we expect of ourselves.”
Divino has a full-time job (and 2 kids in college). “I had to shift back to my other work,” he says. “Not ideal. Not what I wanted. But necessary.”
This fall, PrepZone left a void in Staples athletics.
This winter, Divino hopes to bring it back. “Fully,” he promises. “And stronger than ever.”
He wants to cover Staples sports “the way our teams and our kids deserve — with high-quality, college-level content.” That includes game coverage, player and coach interviews, player features and senior spotlights, hype reels, podcasts, “and everything that elevates the student-athlete experience.”
But, he says, “for PrepZone to be consistent, sustainable and impactful, we need community and team support.”
Without pressure or obligation — “just partnership from teams, families, fans and local businesses” who believe in his project’s mission — he is asking for donations.
He’s created a GoFundMe for PrepZone.
PrepZone’s “Student-Athlete of the Month” is a popular feature.
A number of individuals — and several booster clubs — have already contributed. As of yesterday, PrepZone had raised more than $10,000 of its $50,000 goal.
“Every piece of content does something real: It makes kids feel seen,” Divino says.
“It brings families together. It builds school spirit. And it strengthens every program we touch.”
Divino created PrepZone to help one team survive. Now it helps an entire school thrive.
“Thank you truly, “Divino says in his appeal, “for believing in this community.
“And in the kids we get to highlight every day.”
Go Steve! Thanks for all you do.
Great concept should be able to attract local advertisers