The first magazine was launched in August 2005 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It distributes 265,000 copies monthly and is read by over 1 million adults each month, according to the Circulation Verification Council Audit. In 2008, the Oklahoma and Arkansas markets would be produced the First Annual Statewide Football Preview issues. Along with football, High School Sports The Magazine also covers girls and boys basketball, girls and boys hockey, track, cross-country, field hockey, soccer, golf, baseball, softball, rowing, cheer, pom, dance, and the music programs.
History
High School Sports The Magazine was founded by local businessman, Lynn Mitchell in early 2005 with a desire to cover all sports in the high schools around Tulsa, Oklahoma. The first magazine went to print in August 2005 and continued its success. In August 2006, innovative entrepreneur Kevin Hern of KTAK Management Corporation purchased High School Sports The Magazine, L.L.C. and quickly launched magazines in markets such as Oklahoma City and Fayetteville, Arkansas. With the boom in high school students participating in sports, more interest was gaining each month. The magazine underwent a re-branding to VYPE High School Sports Magazine in June 2008. VYPE is a mash up of Varsity and Hype and is an online community of athletes, parents, and fans at VYPE.com.
Timeline
August 2005 – Eastern Oklahoma magazine launched
November 2006 – Central Oklahoma magazine launched
August 2008 - Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill magazine launched
August 2008 - Houston magazine launched
September 2008 - Central Arkansas magazine launched
Editorial Policies
From its beginning, VYPE High School Sports Magazine has adhered to a number of editorial principles including:
Full-color photos of high school athletes, unlike most black-and-white photos that are normally reserved for the inside or back pages of newspapers. VYPE High School Sports Magazine has taken full color, high-resolution photos of athletes, which fill their magazines.
Positive reporting of each sport and their athletes. The Magazine has yet to cover a negative event in the high school sports realm.
Department of Defense Schools coverage. There are a number of American student athletes that are playing for high schools overseas due to their parents being active duty in the military. VYPE.com is the first sports site to cover these schools and their athletes.
Regular segments
Triple Play - A question and answer feature inside each magazine that pits parent against coach of a certain athlete, to see who knows the student better.
Locker Talk – These are features on local athletes achievements in the respective sports.
Coaches Corner – This is a feature that pinpoints a particular coach and gets his perspective in regards to his profession.
