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Staff members stay in the game through score crew
While the athletes are on the field or the court, it takes a lot of other people to make sure the games come together properly.
Score crew members keep the official score of the game, control the scoreboard, keep time and track substitutes and timeouts. They also work at the gate, selling tickets and handing out programs. But it’s different for each sport.
Math Instructional Coach Chad Harter has been controlling the scoreboards at girls volleyball games for three years. He first wanted to be a member of score crew because he coached volleyball for 12 years and wanted to stay with the athletic side of Smith-Cotton.
“I get the best seats in the house,” he said. “I love having that connection with the girls, coaches and the officials. I just love the game of volleyball.”
Smith-Cotton Junior High Physical Education teacher Clyde Ditto has been on score crew for about eight years. He controls scoreboards for boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and wrestling. He first wanted to be in score crew when Smith-Cotton Athletic Director Rob Davis needed staff members to help with the scoreboard at sporting events, and he thought it was a great way to be able to stay involved in athletics.
“I enjoy being able to see the students in a different element than just in the classroom,” Ditto said.
Smith-Cotton Junior High science teacher Logan Patrick collects tickets at Tigers home football games. He has been doing it for about four years.
“I am a social person. I love seeing all the people come through the gate. It's a good opportunity to meet a lot of new people, and also see familiar faces,” Patrick said.
Both Harter and Ditto agree that the job isn’t very challenging, but they have to stay focused on the game, even though there are distractions. They also have to be very knowledgeable about the sport.
“Athletics has an emotional side to it, you have to deal with emotional coaches, players, and parents,” Harter said.
Patrick said that it can be challenging at some points, but finds it a pleasant experience and overall not stressful.