New High School Sports Web Site Brings Insider Information To Readers

In the last 10 years, Bill Tilton has become one of the most recognizable names in local high school football -- without ever taking a snap.

Instead, he has spent the last 12 years writing about high school sports for The News-Herald and garnered many local journalism awards.

But Tilton has left behind print media. Today he launches Varsity Chalk Talk, a web site that will bring inside information from the field and locker room to everyone.

During its inaugural season, Chalk Talk is going to focus on the weekly doings of five local football teams: , , Eastlake North, Willoughby South and Gilmour.

Tilton will work with each of the schools to gather information, including rosters, schedules, games' results, coaches' bios and stats that will be updated frequently.

Moreover, Tilton plans to write in-depth notes before and after each team's games, as well as stories on the schools' sports histories.

(For home games, you'll have to go to the game and buy a program to get Tilton's preview. For away games, they will be free on the site.)

Chalk Talk also is slated to include information on junior varsity and freshman squads, as well.

Tilton said he designed the site "specifically to level the playing field among all high school teams."

On Chalk Talk, all five of the teams he covers "are going to get covered like they're 10-0 and getting ready for the playoffs," he said. 

The site's Insider page will be the place that readers can find the latest information. (You can get some hot tips on the Chalk Talk Twitter feed, as well.)

Chalk Talk began as an Internet pod cast, hosted by the from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday. The talks will continue with interviews from local players and coaches. Snippets of these talks will be posted on Varsity Chalk Talk.

Additionally, when the Hooley House opens its new bar on Tiedeman Road in Brooklyn, it will add a Chalk Talk that focuses on west-side schools.

Tilton said having a web site allows him to write in more depth.

"I'm going to provide content that you can't get anywhere else," he said.