This article was written by Public Relations Intern Elle Gunter.
As athletics are a defining part of Bluefield University’s identity, it’s the faces behind gameday setup and operations that help make each event memorable. Sports Information Director (SID) Nick Cooper leads a talented group of work-study students who assist with every aspect of gameday operations. That team includes Dayson McMillion, Emmy Spaulding, Alayshia Griffith, Dylan Nash, Jehari Riley, Conrad Ellis and Lisa Jiminez.
Sophomore Emmy Spaulding spoke about the importance of the work that happens behind the scenes.
“Without the efforts of the Sports Information Department, I think attendance and the overall environment at games would significantly decrease,” she said. “I believe the basketball game on Senior Day showed those efforts precisely. From the music to halftime participation, everything created an exciting atmosphere. It’s much easier to rally a team behind an energized crowd.”
Freshman Dylan Nash recently joined the sports information team and shares Spaulding’s belief in the impact of gameday operations.
“None of the sports would thrive like they do without gameday operations,” he said. “Everyone plays a vital role, doing all the behind-the-scenes work to get everything accomplished before, during and after games.”
Many of the student workers in the Sports Information Department are also student-athletes, giving them the opportunity to step outside their own sport and experience another side of athletics. Alayshia Griffith, a sports management major, spoke about how the position connects with her future career goals.
“I just love being around sports,” she said. “This has given me the experience of working directly in athletics, especially since my major focuses on the business side of sports.”
Cooper emphasized how essential his student workers are to the department’s success.
“They keep everything behind the scenes running smoothly,” he said. “I’m only one set of hands, and we have a great group that I fully trust to provide a great gameday atmosphere for student-athletes and fans.”
The students take on a wide range of responsibilities, including photography and videography, graphic design, tracking statistics, managing music and video boards across three sporting arenas, and assisting with office operations.
Senior Dayson McMillion often works the music or captures photos during events.
“I’d say I have pretty good taste in music, and it makes me feel good when I get our crowd and student section excited during basketball games,” he said. “As an athlete myself, I also know how important it is to have good photos and videos to capture those moments.”
McMillion added that without sports information workers, athletes wouldn’t have the same opportunity to showcase their performances and preserve memories that last a lifetime.
While the job requires long hours and attention to detail, the reward is worth the effort.
“If you love sports or plan to work in a career in sports, this position allows you to get a real feel for the industry — long gamedays, last-minute changes and all,” Griffith said. “I highly recommend anyone interested to get their foot in the door as early as possible.”
Though fans may never see the countless hours of preparation that happen before tipoff or kickoff, the impact is felt in every cheer, highlight reel and final buzzer. At Bluefield University, the Sports Information student workers aren’t just supporting the game, they’re shaping the experience, ensuring that every moment on the court or field is one worth remembering.