For the Love of the Williamsburg Sports

Those unable to attend Blue Pirate and Lady Pirate games might find themselves heading over to YouTube to find them on the channel WilliamsburgBluePirateGamesGalore.

Behind the channel is Patrick Detwiler, 19, whose love of filming has tremendously helped connect families, friends, and fans of all things Williamsburg sports.

He is a 2023 graduate of Williamsburg High School and is the son of Stan and Patty (Helsley) Detwiler.

At the age of four, Detwiler was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and his mother, Patty says that throughout his education at Spring Cove and Williamsburg teachers played a key role in getting Patrick to be successful academically and socially. 

One of Detwiler's favorite pastimes is all things trains – and this is where his filming and YouTube career started.

"There were so many videos I recorded on my iPad, and I was just getting started, and I wanted to share trains with anybody and let them see what trains are all about," he said.

Later in his high school career, Detwiler was a cheerleader for three years, and a graduate of GACTC in service occupations.

Detwiler cites Kelly Over, a history teacher at WHS, as his favorite teacher during his educational years.

"He's just very creative in teaching, always thinking outside the box, and just teaching, trying to involve his family – I liked that," he said. 

Over echoes the same respect for Detwiler.

"Patrick is a great guy to be around because he has an infectious love of sports that rubs off on you," he said. "As a longtime sports fan, I tend to get cynical, but you don't see or hear that from Patrick. He has an optimism that is sorely needed in the sports community." 

During his time as a cheerleader, Detwiler's love of Williamsburg athletics grew.

He thoroughly enjoyed the boisterous commentary from Jill Norris during basketball games. She was one of his biggest motivators when it came to having a YouTube channel dedicated to Williamsburg sports.

When the Pirates were being transported from the ICC games, and District 6 games, Detwiler began filming, and thus, the beginning of the Games Galore site.

Of the sports he films, his favorite sport is baseball.

"There's a lot of action, there's always something going on. Good things and bad things are happening," Detwiler said.

He said it also gives coaches something to watch later to prepare for other games and parents can watch if they can't be there.

Detwiler also films basketball and football.

He said to prepare for games he brings supplies, watches some previous videos, talks to coaches, researches teams for names, and sets up ride arrangements when his mother, Patty, can't take him.

Following the game, it takes an estimated thirty minutes to an hour to upload the game to his channel.

"Start small, watch other YouTubers for tips, and don't be afraid to try something new," Detwiler said this is his advice for those wanting to start a YouTube channel. "I get to be around people I know, make friends with the coaches, parents, and fans, and show people what Williamsburg has to offer, especially in sports that don't get a lot of notoriety – such as baseball and softball."

His mother said that people come up and say how much they love and appreciate his videos.

"He's come a long way and we are so proud of him," she said. "Parents and grandparents who can't make the games, are glad to be able to see their loved ones play."