So what's gong on Blogger? Been awhile hasn't it?
Let's say we relaunch this blog huh? Maybe even combine it with a YouTube channel and really have some fun.
So Tuesday, I did a Day in the Life video of running the scoreboard for a USD women's basketball game (oh yeah, since I last blogged, I've been picked up to help on the Toreros game day management crew).
Started the day by running some numbers to see who had a good chance of winning the NHL games (kinda got into some sports wagering on a website that you don't use real money). Turned out that there were a few games that really had some advantages, so I placed some wagers.
Around 11, I left the house and went to USD. Stopped off at 7-Eleven to get a Pepsi and a Kit Kat (since I didn't have anything before leaving the house). Got to USD about 11:45, needed to start the pregame clock at Noon.
Had to park in the lower parking garage and walked up. Didn't have my mask on as there was no one within six feet of me so I was all clear. Once I walked in, I put on my mask and got my temp taken. Walked onto "The Slim Gym" Jenny Craig Pavilion's floor. With the Covid-19 setup, you have the Shot Clock, Game Clock/Scoreboard, Official book and the Instant Replay system on the table right at courtside. On the riser that is located roughly where the expandable "lower" bowl would be is Stats, Photographer, Announcer and music. On the other side of the court is the play-by-play spot. Everyone that is working the spots I just mentioned is "Tier 2". Coaches, players and the Sports Information Directors are all in "Tier 1". Tier 1 can go pretty much anywhere they want. Tier 2 can only go to Tiers 2 & 3. "Tier 3" is the camera operators and anyone up in the control room.
So, I get inside and see the head of marketing for USD, the one and only Robbie Hill. Robbie is really cool and has a bunch of passion for USD since he went there (and his Dad is the head baseball coach). Side note on Robbie, he is a professional trumpet player and does a great National Anthem.
Went over to the scores table and double checked some of the settings (minor things that the shot clock guy likes to have checked like making sure that the shot clock doesn't show tenths of a second). I started the pregame 60 minute clock about 45 seconds late, but since the game was starting at 1p and wasn't on National TV, it didn't really matter.
About five minutes into the pregame, I found out that the guy that was scheduled to work the scorebook was going to be running late as he was getting his first Covid shot. I was asked, and was going to do it anyway, to get the scratches from both teams and get the names into the book. Simple enough, got it taken care of in about 10 minutes, but was interrupted by the referee coming over to the table and having the pregame talk with everyone at the table. We go over the simple things and ask some questions on things that are odd and don't happen very often.
About 15 minutes before tip, the scorebook got to the table and I let him know that the book was all filled out and starters were about to be inputted by the coaches. The coaches (usually the second assistant coach) have until 10 minutes before the game to get their starters in the book and initial that everyone in the book is correct. This way, should it happen that a team puts a player into the game that wasn't listed in the book, the referees can say "Hey, you initialed" before assigning a technical foul. In addition to that, for some reason the play-by-play guy hadn't shown up yet. So, the PA Announcer was flipped over to the p-b-p seat and the SID filled in on PA Announcing. If I was in a different seat (shot clock) I probably could've done it, but not when I was on the big clock.
The Toreros had a really good start as they led at one point 16-4. They ended up finishing the quarter up 22-13. They also closed out the game with a good fourth quarter with 19 points. In the bookend quarters they scored 41 points....the problem was they only scored 15 in the second and third quarters combined. They ended up losing to St. Mary's College 63-56. SMC coming into the game was 4-10!
After the game, my friend Callan (originally scheduled to do PA, ended up on p-b-p) and I went down the hill to Round Table for some pizza and a beer (after that game, we needed one!). We caught up with each other as we hadn't hung out (gee thanks Covid) since early December. I took him back to his house and went down to PB.
On the way down to PB I got a sudden need to go to the bathroom. I ended up going in a porta potty at the foot of Fiesta Island. Then made my way over to PB to get gas. After that I came home. On the way home my beloved Colorado Avalanche were playing San Chokse in Denver. I turned into the game on XM and listened to the Great Conor McGahey. Once there was a commercial break after I pulled into the driveway, I came inside and watched the rest of the game on NHL.TV. Avs would win 7-3!
After the game, I started editing the video and posted it overnight as I slept.
So I'll come back tonight after the Toreros and the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs are on the court tonight. It isn't on National TV (shocking!) so if you watch on WCC Network (Look on Facebook) you'll see me at center court again running the big clock and scoreboard again. Tip is at 6p.
