In weeks leading up to the big day, the media relations
staff was in touch with me about what my tasks would be throughout game day. Being my third event, they’ve gotten to
know me – they know the assignments they’ve previously given me and they know
the goals and aspirations of my career.
I was ecstatic when they asked me to be a liaison for one of the
schools’ sports information department.
It was a role I had been given before, but with the new media
requirements of the College Football Playoff the duties were more in depth and
precise. On game day I was even given a headset,
which I thought was also pretty cool and made me feel official!
As liaison, during the game I made sure the school’s staff
had everything they needed, including answering questions or solving any issues
that arose - pretty straight forward.
But post game is where my assignment got exceptionally fun!
With about 5 minutes left in the game I made my way down to
the field with some of the staff to prepare for post game chaos festivities. As liaison my job was to make sure
everything ran smoothly for the team’s post game media obligations. I was to escort Ole Miss Head Coach
Hugh Freeze to the locker room, give him the proper 10-minute cool down period,
escort him to the press conference and also keep time for media in the locker
room with additional players.
It was such an exciting 40-minute whirlwind. I was so close to everything, closer
than I’d really ever been before.
I was right there with Coach Freeze as he ran to shake hands and
congratulate TCU Coach Patterson near the 50-yard line. I briskly walked off the field with him
and into the locker room- giving him and his staff a minute-by-minute countdown
until he was expected at the press conference and radioing to bowl personnel
his whereabouts. Following the
press conference I kept track of the time media was allowed in the locker room
for post game interviews with players (minimum 30 minutes).
This process was new to players, coaches and staff. Since the Peach Bowl is a bowl in
rotation for the new College Football Playoff system, the regulations were
different. It was exciting to be
the person they turned to for clarification of what was expected of them.
I’m so grateful to the wonderful people of the Chick-fil-A
Peach Bowl for continually inviting me to get incredible experience at their
events. It’s truly an honor to
work with them!
I can’t believe how quickly this season is coming to an
end. What an incredible first year
of the College Football Playoff it has been!
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