BEAVER TOWNSHIP ­– D.J. Yokely is an innovator.

A risk-taker who is serious about the ideas that he grapples with, less than a decade ago he took his vision of the way local sports should be covered and turned it into innovative reporting.

In 2017, the East Palestine native launched YSN – Your Sports Network – and seven years later, the network has become one of the most viewed local networks covering scholastic and collegiate sports.

“Your Sports Network (YSN) was nothing more than hope, a dream with a deep love for youth and high school sports,” Yokley told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “What began as a grassroots effort to spotlight the unsung heroes of local athletics has grown into a powerhouse that spans the region, redefining how communities engage with their sports programs.”

While there were skeptics early on, those naysayers soon became believers and the rest, as they say, is history.

“YSN’s journey began humbly with Leetonia High School as the first school to join forces with our fledgling platform,” Yokley said. “Our mission was clear and that was to restore a sense of belonging and pride to youth and high school sports by providing comprehensive coverage that celebrated athletes, coaches and communities. From there, the momentum grew with South Range, Crestview and Salem quickly following suit. Leetonia was the first to believe in us, which gave us the confidence to keep on going, to prove that this could be something truly special.”

State football champion head coach, Dan Yeagley of the South Range Raiders, believed in Yokley’s idea and mission.

“A late night message over LinkedIn to coach Yeagley, a veteran area football coach, opened the door for us,” Yokley said. “He invited me to come in and pitch the concept to him. At the time, all I had were poorly designed handouts of what we hoped to accomplish. We didn’t even have a website but he liked our idea and made me promise that if they committed to YSN, that I personally commit to the Raiders as their announcer, which I did.

“In the years that have followed, our reach has exploded, and by this past football season, we had partnered with over 70 schools stretching from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. That vision of a hyper-local sports network had now become a reality, resonating deeply with schools and fans alike.”

While football is YSN’s crown jewel, the network embraces coverage of other sports, too.

“Football reigns supreme, and Friday nights under the lights are the heart and soul of YSN’s programming, drawing massive viewership numbers and fueling the passion of local communities,” Yokley said. “We understood early on, however, that to truly build something lasting, we needed to embrace every sport so from volleyball to soccer, wrestling to track, YSN has provided a platform for athletes in most every discipline while giving them the recognition they deserve.

“YSN’s commitment to inclusivity has been a cornerstone of its success and to date has amassed an astounding 40.3 million views, which is a testament to the demand for quality, hyper-local sports content. It is not just about the games, it is about the stories behind the athletes, the rivalries and the communities that rally around their teams.”

When COVID-19 shut down the world in 2020, YSN stepped up.

“The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to high school sports with strict attendance restrictions leaving fans on the outside looking in,” Yokley said. “For our team, it was clear that we had to break down the barriers to sports streaming. YSN quickly became a lifeline for fans, parents and communities desperate to stay connected to their teams. Through innovative streaming solutions, the network provided solace and a sense of normalcy during a time of uncertainty. Businesses were closing their doors but YSN was opening new ones, not just for fans but for the industry as a whole.

“It wasn’t solely about sports during the pandemic, it was about bringing people together at a time when a connection felt impossible. YSN’s pioneering efforts during the pandemic cemented our reputation as a trailblazer in sports streaming, setting a standard that others have since tried to emulate.”

The East Palestine train derailment in 2023 also became a challenge for the rising sports network.

“That disaster forced us to make a difficult decision,” he said. “We had to relocate our headquarters or risk being unable to operate effectively, so with resilience and a commitment to our mission, we moved our operations to Athletix in Columbiana, a state-of-the-art facility that now serves as our home base. East Palestine will always be part of our story but moving to Athletix was the right decision for our team and our vision.”

Yokley’s vision, which started as a dream and hope, has become so much more.

“It’s a testament to what can happen when you believe in something bigger than yourself,” Yokley said. “It has never been about just the games. It is about the kids, the schools and the communities that make high school sports so special. Seven years after its inception, YSN stands as a testament to the power of vision, hard work and an unwavering belief in the value of local sports.”

Next Monday, John Mang, Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference commissioner and area assigner of officials, along with area directors of athletics Andrea Ferenac (Howland Tigers), Abbey Fishtorn (Jackson-Milton Blue Jays), Erin Heasley (Columbiana Clippers) and Nancy Knight (Struthers Wildcats) will serve as guest speakers.