NEWS - Sept. 10, 2012

The National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers has named SPIRE Interactive LLC of Indianapolis its official e-learning provider, kicking off a process in which SPIRE will develop their online course to raise the professionalism of sports announcers across the country.
The association, commonly known as NASPAA, seeks to raise the professionalism of public address announcing by serving as a resource for training, education and professional development for individuals announce at sports events at all levels. Though NASPAA holds regular clinics to train sports announcers, it has engaged SPIRE so that announcers at all levels of sports can learn online.

“We are truly fortunate to work with SPIRE Interactive, the company that developed the NASPAA online course,” said Brad Rumble, NASPAA’s executive director. “Not only will the course utilize state-of-the-art technology, but it will also feature the latest online learning techniques.”

Said Thomas A. Douglass, SPIRE‘s president and chief executive officer: “Different people learn differently, and online courses allow people to learn at their own pace, in an environment that is comfortable to them. SPIRE is pleased to provide the technical expertise to NASPAA’s effort to allow announcers to advance in their professionalism and skills, no matter where they are.”

The accredited NASPAA course is the first of its kind for sports public address announcers. It will be presented via streaming video over about two hours. It will be followed by a 100-question online exam that will provide immediate feedback as to whether the answer he/she provided is correct. Anyone who takes the course will receive certification and can even earn college credit.

SPIRE, www.SpireInteractive.com, is an interactive media design and consulting company that provides website and rich-media development, technology consulting and Internet hosting services. It works with a diverse clientele ranging from not-for-profits to mid-sized companies and large national organizations in sports, entertainment, education and the insurance and health care industries.

SPIRE’s expertise in nearly all areas of Internet technology – search engine optimization, rich media, online marketing, online education and web application development – allows it to handle its clients’ toughest challenges.