Echo resumes sports broadcasts

Numerous winter events to be audio-streamed, starting Tuesday

As the local radio airwaves remain silent, the Ely Echo will continue what it started this fall and broadcast numerous local sporting events over the internet.

Tuesday’s high school boys basketball game between Ely and Cook County will be carried live, starting at 7 p.m., via Twitter (now X) on social media.

Two nights later, on Thursday, fans will be able to listen starting at 7 p.m. as Ely’s high school hockey team takes on Greenway.

Listeners will be able to use their cell phones or computers  to go to Twitter, and click on a link that will be posted on the Ely Echo’s Twitter account at @elyecho.

A link will also be posted on the Echo’s Facebook page and the Echo is also exploring the potential of using Facebook Live for future broadcasts.

The Echo’s Tom Coombe is set to handle play-by-play duties for road games.

During the fall season, the Echo launched its foray into sports broadcasts by carrying all Ely football games and a sampling of volleyball games, filling a void created when WELY went off the air last year.

“We had a very positive reaction and response to our fall broadcasts,” said Echo publisher Nick Wognum. “Not everyone can go to the games, and local sports is a big part of our community.  This offers an opportunity for people to follow the Timberwolves.”

A schedule for the remainder of the winter is being developed, but plans call for broadcasts of a game or two per week, encompassing boys and girls basketball and hockey.

Since late last year, the Echo’s website (www.elyecho.com) has featured a daily sports report from Coombe, who had done a similar report on WELY for more than 20 years.  It can be accessed each weekday, at any time, on the Echo website.