By Don Ketchum

AIA increases coverage with veteran writers

Welcome to aia365.com!

During the 2009-10 school year, the Arizona Interscholastic Association introduced the Web site to athletes, coaches and fans around the state and, yes, around the globe, in hopes of providing informative and entertaining stories about the good side of sports on video and through the written word.

In 2010-11, we are increasing our profile. I am a former longtime sports reporter for The Arizona Republic and will continue to write feature stories as I have done for the last two years on aiaonline.org and aia365.com. The AIA is pleased to add Les Willsey, a former longtime former sports reporter for the East Valley Tribune, to the team.

Les and I will split up the state in out areas of coverage.

 Les will take advantage of his expertise in metropolitan Phoenix’s East Valley, including Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and most of Scottsdale. He also will keep an eye on things across southern Arizona, including Tucson, Yuma and everything in between.

I will work with schools in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, and Anthem.

And I will write stories about people in northern Arizona, including the Interstate 40 corridor from Kingman to Williams to Flagstaff to Winslow to Joseph City to Holbrook to Sanders. Also Page, Fredonia and Beaver Dam on the Utah border, the programs in the White Mountains, and the Native American communities.

Les and I will be writing up to 10 stories a week, including features and blogs from games and events. The first focus will be on football and the other fall sports – cross country, girls’ volleyball, golf, swimming and badminton. We will assist with reports from football games on the AIA radio network, and join veteran sportscaster Kevin Ray on weekly Webcasts on aia365.com.

We love writing about sports, and hope everyone will enjoy reading about their favorite teams and coaches. We also welcome story ideas at dketchum@aiaonline.org or lwillsey@aiaonline.org.

Please pass the word, and thank you very much.