Scoreboard Operator
I love to play volleyball. It doesn't involve a lot of running, it requires good timing and being smart, other people are not getting in your space, and blocking a hit or putting one on the floor is a thrilling experience. I am competitive but not aggressive in a "I'm going to rip that ball out of your hands" kind of way so it is a good fit for me.
When I got to BYU, my freshman roommate was working in the athletic department and hooked me up with the most amazing job: scoreboard operator for the volleyball games! I was already going to every single one. BYU has always had great teams and filling up the Smith Fieldhouse (holds about 5,000) was easy to do and it was an exciting crowd to be a part of. Now I was going to get paid to sit on the court and watch the game while pushing a few buttons. Dream come true!
That year was when Nina Puikkonen, one of the most honored BYU women volleyball players, was also a freshman and she was fantastic to watch. She played the same position I had in high school so I idolized her and lived my volleyball dreams through her. She is 6'3, lead the nation in blocking her freshman year and was invited to play on the U.S. National team when she graduated.
After an exciting fall semester watching the women, then winter semester I got to watch the men. It didn't hurt that they warmed up in one t-shirt and then changed right there on the court into their jerseys but really, I loved watching them play volleyball. That year was when Ryan Millar and Ossie Antonetti were the stars of the team. Ryan went on to play on the U.S. Olympic team three times and also professionally. I remember how Ossie, who at 6'1 seemed like the short guy on the team, would just float up in the air when he would go up for a hit. But my favorite was Mac Wilson. I had a bit of a crush on him because he was 6'9, super cute and an amazing player. It was his first season back after his mission and the one time I got to actually meet him and talk to him, he was super nice and humble too.
The job didn't pay much but I got to sit in the best seat to watch amazing athletic ability in a sport I love and all for the low responsibility of managing the scoreboard. It was the perfect job for me and a life experience that I am grateful to have had. Go Cougars!
When I got to BYU, my freshman roommate was working in the athletic department and hooked me up with the most amazing job: scoreboard operator for the volleyball games! I was already going to every single one. BYU has always had great teams and filling up the Smith Fieldhouse (holds about 5,000) was easy to do and it was an exciting crowd to be a part of. Now I was going to get paid to sit on the court and watch the game while pushing a few buttons. Dream come true!
That year was when Nina Puikkonen, one of the most honored BYU women volleyball players, was also a freshman and she was fantastic to watch. She played the same position I had in high school so I idolized her and lived my volleyball dreams through her. She is 6'3, lead the nation in blocking her freshman year and was invited to play on the U.S. National team when she graduated.
After an exciting fall semester watching the women, then winter semester I got to watch the men. It didn't hurt that they warmed up in one t-shirt and then changed right there on the court into their jerseys but really, I loved watching them play volleyball. That year was when Ryan Millar and Ossie Antonetti were the stars of the team. Ryan went on to play on the U.S. Olympic team three times and also professionally. I remember how Ossie, who at 6'1 seemed like the short guy on the team, would just float up in the air when he would go up for a hit. But my favorite was Mac Wilson. I had a bit of a crush on him because he was 6'9, super cute and an amazing player. It was his first season back after his mission and the one time I got to actually meet him and talk to him, he was super nice and humble too.
The job didn't pay much but I got to sit in the best seat to watch amazing athletic ability in a sport I love and all for the low responsibility of managing the scoreboard. It was the perfect job for me and a life experience that I am grateful to have had. Go Cougars!
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