Happy Thursday! Megan here.

I've got some exciting news. Sioux Falls Simplified is branching into high school sports!

Wait, but Megan ... you're not exactly ... sporty

Correct.

But, I do recognize the important role high school sports play in building community. I also recognize that high school sports have seen less coverage in recent years as the local media scene shifts.

As a community-focused news outlet, it's important to me to be fulfilling the needs of Sioux Falls.

  • There's an abundance of talented students in our city and region, and I want to make sure they get the coverage and recognition they deserve.
  • There's such a special feeling to be featured in your local paper. I want to provide that feeling and that opportunity for the digital generation.

So, what does 'Simplified' sports coverage look like?

Two emails a week.

  • One on Thursdays to share the "what we're watching this week" preview of the big games each week.
  • One on Mondays with a round-up of scores, highlights and short recaps of the eight teams we're covering in the Sioux Metro.

We're also sending out in-depth preview stories looking at the strengths and weaknesses of each team. Those will start rolling out next week. And, I'm hoping to intersperse regular feature stories highlighting the impressive students who make up these local teams.

Who's the reporter?

Not me, don't worry. But, much like I was in high school, I'm here to be a cheerleader!

Longtime sports journalist Tom Savage will be doing the reporting. You may recognize his name from the Brandon Valley Journal, the Argus Leader or any of his other bylines over the last 30 years.

Sports journalist Tom Savage will be covering high school football for Sioux Falls Simplified. (Submitted photo).

What schools are you covering?

This fall football season, we're focusing on the seven Sioux Falls high schools in the Class 11AAA Metro Conference, and also Sioux Falls Christian, who, you know...won it all last year in Class 11A.

That includes:

  • Sioux Falls Lincoln,
  • Sioux Falls Jefferson,
  • Sioux Falls Washington,
  • Sioux Falls Roosevelt,
  • Bishop O'Gorman,
  • Sioux Falls Christian,
  • Harrisburg,
  • and Brandon Valley.

I love your news, but I'm not super interested in sports

That's OK. You'll be able to determine which emails you receive, and you can unsubscribe from the sports content and still get the news content (or vice versa – happy to help you figure this out if you get stuck).

I'd ask you to go in with an open mind, and give it a chance! I've never been an avid sports fan either, but I'm already enjoying reading Tom's reporting.

Anything else we should know?

Yep! I want to be transparent with the business side of this new sports vertical.

This coverage will be available to all Sioux Falls Simplified members for the first month (meaning, you have to sign up with at least your email address and get your first month free), but then it'll transition to a premium product, meaning you'll hit a paywall if you're not a paid subscriber.

  • If this poses problems, please reach out, and I'll work with you as best I can to make sure the kids featured in these stories are able to access them – while still keeping in mind the costs it takes to provide this high-quality, local sports coverage.