MT. GREENWOOD — New-age technology isn't reserved just for big-name college basketball programs.
The world of iPad, iPhone and Android apps has reached the high school level, too, specifically at Brother Rice.
The Southwest Side boys-only Catholic school has several ways of promoting the hoops team, including a recently released iPad app.
"It's very similar to what you'd see at a Kansas or a North Carolina," said Brother Rice head coach Pat Richardson, 52, a Marist High School graduate and Mt. Greenwood resident.
Brother Rice graduate Bobby Frasor would know. The 2005 McDonald's All-America played at North Carolina and now is director of basketball operations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"It's just another avenue to show off your school, connect with fans, and be cool to potential students," Frasor said. "I'm sure other area schools are going to follow their lead, I know I am down here at UAB."
The app, which has player profiles, famous games in team history and video components, already has more than 300 downloads, said Brother Rice marketing director Brian Barkowski.
Barkowski, a 1995 Brother Rice graduate, developed the app with 1991 alumnus and website designer Ed Sochacki. It cost $1,500 to create and is making a profit with paid advertisements, said Barkowski, a South Loop resident.
The app is part of an aggressive marketing campaign by Brother Rice, which also has an iPhone/Android app that has video, team schedules, news and photos. Barkowski said Brother Rice's Facebook page has more than 4,700 fans, and its Twitter school and athletic accounts have nearly 1,400 combined followers.
The school plans to release a baseball iPad app in the spring similar to the basketball version, Barkowski said.
Senior basketball players Alex Majewski and Jim Barista said the apps have been great for attracting prospective eighth-graders and giving the program a more professional image.
"It's just a really cool thing," said Majewski, a 6-foot-7 forward and Garfield Ridge resident considered one of the top players in the Catholic League.
Added Barista, a 5-9 guard from Palos Heights: "We have a good record (18-3 before Friday's game against De La Salle), but I think because of this new technology, people will care about us more."
