LASA BAXTER

SERVICE LEARNING

PES 470

Recently, I volunteered at Eastern Oregon University’s (EOU) last home basketball games to perform my administrative service learning project.  I worked behind the scenes alongside Barrett Henderson, Sports Information and Marketing Director for EOU.  The night’s games included a student senior recognition and “Pink Night” event for breast cancer awareness.  Proceeds of the Pink Night event will go to the Union County Center for Human Development for free mammogram services to women who cannot afford them.

My evening began a little before 5:00 PM and soon after I was learning how to take tickets at the front door from students, EOU boosters, and other patrons.  Interestingly, it is not as simple as taking money, making change and providing the patron with a ticket.  Information from pre-paid booster seats are carefully tracked as not to sell pre-sold seats and student ticket stubs are kept for use in a student drawing.

Later, I sat at the scoring table, where I observed and assisted with the processes occurring during the game from the scorer’s table.  These included continuous live tracking of statistics which are fed to Barrett Henderson for use in writing a current story of the games as they are in progress, by Terrence Pharr for use in his live radio announcing of the game, by the EOU live event announcer, and are available for immediate use by the coaching staff.  The statistics are also posted to the NAIA conference standings website.  In addition, I helped with the half-time hoop shoot, the fifty-fifty raffle, and coordinating seniors and parents for senior recognition.

Many activities were necessary in preparation for the game.  “Pink Night” posters were hung, pink and white balloons and streamers were used to decorate the gym, and tables were set up for raffles manned by volunteer athletes and by sponsors.  A script for the announcer was produced by Barrett to include announcements about all of the senior athletes and the evening’s events.  Engraved plaques and framed personal posters of the athletes were ordered and waiting for presentation.  A laptop was set-up with appropriate athletic event music and manned by Katie Humphries during the games.  During time-outs and half-times, Barrett and I helped to determine the music clips that would be played, unless otherwise specifically requested by the EOU dance team. 

I completed the evening by helping take down the Pink Night decorations and called it quits about 10:15 PM.  Overall, I found the project very insightful and enjoyed helping the Sports Information and Marketing Director and his team.  I have a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in order to make the athletic events at EOU run smoothly.