Best way to share game updates with parents & students
By Parker Damaska
After working with schools across the country, I've learned what works—and what doesn't—when it comes to sharing game updates. The schools that do it well follow a few simple principles, and the ones that struggle usually break one of them.
Speed matters. Post updates as soon as possible after games end. The longer you wait, the more likely parents and students will find out through other channels, or not at all. Aim for within 30 minutes of the final whistle. That's when the excitement is fresh, when people are still talking about the game, and when your update has the most impact.
Consistency is key. Establish a regular posting schedule and format. When your community knows what to expect and where to find it, they'll check regularly. Consistency builds trust and engagement. If you post some games immediately and others days later, or if your format changes from week to week, people stop checking. They assume you'll post when you post, and they'll find out eventually. But if you're consistent, they'll come to rely on you as their source of truth.
Clarity over creativity. Game updates should be clear and easy to scan. Include the final score prominently, key highlights or standout performances, next game information, and any schedule changes. Save the creative storytelling for longer recaps. For game updates, people want information fast, and they want it easy to find.
One source of truth. Don't make your community check multiple places. Choose one primary platform and stick with it. This reduces confusion and ensures everyone gets the same information. If you post to Instagram, Twitter, and your website, people have to check three places. Some will only check one, and they'll miss information. Pick the platform that works best for your community, and make it the place where people know they can always find game updates.
Every update should include the final score (make it prominent and clear), the opponent, the date and location, two or three key highlights or standout performances, and information about the next game. Optional but valuable additions include player of the game, season record updates, photos from the game, a brief coach's comment, or links to full stats or recaps if available.
Make it scannable. Use clear formatting, bullet points when appropriate, and white space. Parents and students are often checking on mobile devices—make it easy to read quickly. Use consistent language. Develop a style guide for your updates. Always list your team's score first, use consistent date formats, and standardize how you present next game information.
The most important information—the score—should be the most prominent. Use formatting to guide the eye: large, bold score, clear section breaks, consistent spacing. When someone opens your update, they should immediately see the score, then the highlights, then the next game information.
If you're using a dedicated athletic platform like ScoreIt, you get professional presentation, reliability, and ease of use. Athletic updates don't get lost in other content, formatting is consistent, access is easy for your entire community, and you have a historical record of all games. If you're using social media, post immediately after games, use consistent hashtags, pin important updates, and consider stories for real-time updates. If you're using your website, update the same day as games, make it mobile-friendly, include search functionality, and link from other platforms.
The most common mistakes? Posting too late, inconsistent formatting, too much information, forgetting the next game, and ignoring mobile users. The best system is the one you'll actually use. Set a reminder, delegate when possible, use templates, and make it part of your routine. Post updates right after you finish your post-game tasks, when it's still fresh in your mind.
At ScoreIt, we've built our platform around these best practices. Thirty-second posting is fast enough to do immediately after games. Consistent formatting means professional presentation every time. Mobile-first design works perfectly on any device. A dedicated space means athletic updates don't get lost. Easy access means your community always knows where to look.
The best way to share game updates is the way that's fast, consistent, and reliable. With the right tools and practices, you can keep your entire community informed and engaged, without spending hours managing platforms that weren't built for this.