Mascoutah Indian Sports Network Expands with New Weekly Show at The Vault

By Zachary Daum
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For more than a year, the Mascoutah Indian Sports Network on YouTube has been giving fans a front row seat to Mascoutah High School athletics. Now, the student-led program is expanding with new coverage and a weekly live show hosted at The Vault in downtown Mascoutah.

Senior Owen Dressler, who started broadcasting games as a sophomore, said his dream of doing play-by-play began when he was about 10 years old. “For whatever reason, I was watching a Cardinal game one night, and it clicked in my head that that’s what I want to do,” he said. “I’m not that great at sports, so this is my way to be a part of it. I absolutely love it.”

The YouTube channel, called Mascoutah Indian Sports Network, grew out of limitations with the school’s NFHS Network contract. Dressler explained, “With NFHS, I couldn’t do baseball, I couldn’t go on the road, and I could only do football and basketball. With YouTube, I can do every sport I want. I can bring it to people wherever they are.”

The channel has quickly gained momentum. Community members tune in for football, basketball, baseball, and more, both at home and away. “The love for our sports teams from this town is incredible,” Dressler said. “I love the school, I love our sports, and I can bring something to the people that read and listen.”

This year, the project is expanding with a new weekly program hosted at The Vault. The show will feature coaches, players, and guests in a live setting, similar to Kansas University’s “Hawk Talk,” but tailored for Mascoutah.

“I’ve talked to a couple coaches we’re going to have on, and they’re excited,” Dressler said. “It’s going to be really cool to bring people a little more knowledge about these sports and the people behind them.”

Mascoutah High School Athletic Director Scott Battas praised both Dressler’s passion and the partnership with The Vault. “Owen’s a passionate kid who has big dreams of being in the broadcast world,” Battas said. “He’s pumped his heart and soul into our athletic programs. This show adds more of a college type feel to our program, and I think it’s great for the community to hear from coaches and players in a casual environment.”

The Vault, which is expanding into a family friendly restaurant space with food service and student-centered amenities, was a natural fit. Owner Cody Whitworth said the project aligns with their vision. “Part of everything we do in our communities is for the community,” Whitworth said. “We wanted a space where high school kids can come after school, hang out, do homework, or get something to eat. When Scott and I talked about Owen’s weekly sports show, we thought this was the perfect place.”

Whitworth emphasized that while The Vault includes a bar, the show will not be held in a bar setting. “The front of the restaurant space is designed where families and students can be without ever seeing the bar,” he said. “It’s really important to us that people understand this is a family friendly environment.”

He compared the atmosphere to something many readers might recognize. “If you remember the show ‘Saved by the Bell,’ they had The Max, where the kids always went after school,” Whitworth said. “That’s kind of what we’re creating here in Mascoutah.”

For Dressler, the chance to combine the YouTube channel with a weekly in-person show is both a professional stepping stone and a gift to the community. “If you like Mascoutah sports and want to know more about our players and coaches, that’s why you should tune in,” he said. “It’s about bringing our community closer to the teams we love.”

The Mascoutah Indian Sports Network can be found on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@indianssportsnetwork-r6p. The first shows at The Vault are expected to begin in mid September, with updates shared through Mascoutah High School athletics.