HOMECOMING

A Tech Talk Publication

EDITION2012
Organizations prepare for annual step show. Page 4 Remember the life of a homecoming queen. Page 7 Students get ready to compete in annual tower stand. Page 6

Passing the Crown

Find out what life is like for last years homecoming queen, Morgan Broussard. Page 5

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty and Staff,
When I think back to homecoming week during my high school days and the first few years of college, they are usually some of the warmest memories from that time. That angst-filled period of our lives that high school can sometimes be (for most of us anyway) is erased like a hard drive when mulling over that magical week. Who can forget getting out of class to play games like the egg toss and performing chants in hopes that your class would win the spirit stick? There was also the big dance where a DJ, who may or may not have looked like Vanilla Ice in his earlier days, played current pop hits and songs from our childhoodlaying on the nostalgia heavily. All the guys stood around in their tuxes on the outskirts of the dance floor, wanting to dance but not sure if their popularity would diminish when they did so. The girls all swirled around in their dresses while casting glances at the other girls dresses, thinking, Im so glad that I did not buy that one. Then you go to college and the egg toss and spirit stick goes away, replaced by spring flings and step shows and the only thing that remains the same is the parade and the homecoming court. There is always a great deal of respect for the king and queen and their court, and no matter if you know them or not, there is always adoration. Throwing football into the mix amps up the excitement of the week. Families and spectators pour into Ruston and tailgate and cheer our Bulldog football team on to a great victory. We remember all of these things not just because we get out of class to participate in these activities, but because there is a warmness, a camaraderie among students, professors, alumni, football players, the janitorial staff, those passed and those who are touring Tech this year for the first time. We are all connected during this time, no matter who you are or what your major is. Who doesnt want to be connected? In putting together this special homecoming week edition, we want you, the reader, to be connected to the events during this great time for our university as well. Our editorial staff wanted to do something special this fall, and we did not have to look any further than homecoming week to center a special edition around. We wanted to capture the essence of homecoming, the stories from years past, what to look forward to, so you, the reader, can keep up with everything throughout the week and stay informed. Our dedicated staff of reporters, editors and advisers worked hard to get this special edition out, which we are proud of and hopefully will become a Tech Talk tradition. We hope that even if you arent able to make it to any of the events, you can feel like you are here with us and getting a glimpse of all the great things going on. Most importantly, we want you to stay connected.

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The student voice of Louisiana Tech University

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

Accomplished alumni rewarded

MELISSA GRAJEK Staff Reporter

LLC, and a member of the a master of science an assistant profes- recognize when and audit/budget US Pipe Line Contractors degree in forest sor at the University n o n - g r a d u a t e s committee member Association Board of Direc- ecology and silviculof West Alabama, impact the Tech of the Methodist ChilEvery year during home- tors. ture. where her husband community, and drens Home. coming, the Alumni AssociaBrooke Lassiter Stoehr, In 2000, Rachal is the director of award the ArAs a member of tion invites Tech graduates who graduated in 2002, is worked as managing athletics. William- lis Scogin Distinthe Tech family, Holback on campus for being honored as director for Molpus son was a professor guished Service lingsworth was dian annual awards WILLIAMSON rector of Innovative the Young Alumnus Timberlands Man- HOLLINGSWORTH and coordinator of Award. Distinguished Distinguished ceremony and 50 of the Year. agement where he physical education Named after Student Housing at Service Award Alumna for year reunion celStoehr gradu- managed 300,000 at North Carolina its first recipient Tech and developed ebration. ated from Tech with acres of timberState University. in 1999, Arlis D. College of Education the Louisiana Tech This year, the a bachelor land for four large College of Engineering Scogin, the DisSports Radio NetAlumni Awards Lunof science clients until becom- and Science: Nicholas Akins, tinguished Service Award is work in 1969. cheon celebrates degree, in ing vice president 1982 and 1989 graduate. given to a person in the comWhile teachers and staff ALLEN the universitys 2012 business adof land and timber Currently, he serves as munity who need not be a at Tech work around the alumnus of the year, Alumnus of the Year ministration with Roy O. Martin chairman of the Board of graduate or even student of clock to educate and prepare the Arlis Scogin Disand continLumber Co. in 2004 Directors of the Electric Tech, but someone who is a students for life after gradutinguished Service award ued to Florida State where he currently Power Research Institute and major part of the ation, The Alumni recipient and distinguished University where she works. is a member of the boards of Tech family who Association likes to alumni of the colleges. earned her master College of the National Association of is dedicated to the reward those who STOEHR Young Alumna The luncheon will be held of science degree Business: Randall Manufacturers, the Mid-Ohio overall mission of have taken advanof the Year Friday, Nov. 2, in Techs Stu- in sports administraFowler, 1978 and Food Bank, the Greater Co- the university. tage of the oppordent Center and is open to tion in 2004. 1989 graduate. lumbus Arts Council and the This year, Rustunities in life by the public at $25 per person After graduating from He began his career work- Wexner Center for the Arts. ton Mayor Dan Holwelcoming them or $200 for a reserved table Tech, she worked as an assis- ing with Deloitte, Haskins College of Liberal Arts: lingsworth, is being back to campus and of eight. tant coach for the womans and Sells as a certified pub- Kenneth Murchison, 1969 awarded for his awarding them for RACHAL The Alumni Association basketball teams at Tech, lic accountant before hold- graduate. unrelenting dedica- Distinguished Alumni their service. awards both the Alumnus of the University of Southern ing finance and accounting Murchison tion with for College of Applied Alumni return to the Year and Young Alumnus Mississippi and Texas Tech positions for NorAm Energy earned his J.D. in b u i l d i n g and Natural Sciences the campus to once of the Year to graduates who University until accepting the Corporation, ArkLa Explo- 1972 and masters and mainagain be reminded have shown outco-head coach posi- ration Company, and Butler- in history in 1975 taining the of their Tech memstanding achievetion at Northwest- Johnson, Inc. at the University partnership between ories, to renew their friendments in their years ern State UniverAmong other positions, of Virginia, and the university and ships with the members of after Tech. sity where she now Fowler is a member of the his SJD from Harthe city. their Tech family and see the This years works. Advisory Board of the Ale- vard Law School in After graduating amazing progress the UniverAlumnus of the Year Each college rian MLP Index and on the 1988. from Meridian Junior sity is making, said Corre FOWLER is John Allen, a busiwithin the univer- Advisory Board of the ColMurchison most College in 1954, Hol- Stegall, vice president of Distinguished ness graduate in the sity is responsible lege of Business at Tech. recently taught as Alumni for College lingsworth began a Alumni Relations. class of 1973. MURCHISON for awarding graduCollege of Education: a visiting profescareer in media and She said she hopes curof Business Distinguished After his graduates as distinguished Debbie Primeaux William- sor at the Moritz broadcast at WTOK- rent students are able to witAlumnus for ation, Allen served alumni of the year. son, 1985 and 1986 gradu- College of Law at TV, purchased KRUS ness the lasting connections two terms as presi- College of Liberal They are: ate. Ohio State University, and AM/FM in 1969 and oper- the alumni feel for their uniArts dent of Tech Alumni College of ApAfter earning her masters has been published in seven ated KRUS/KXKZ/KNBB versity and in return better Association and is plied and Natural degree Williamson gradu- books and countless articles. until 2003. understand the reality and currently a member of Loui- Sciences: James (Mickey) ated from the University of While the Alumni AssoSince first being elected importance of a lifelong assiana Tech Universitys Foun- Rachal, 1984 graduate. Houston with a doctorate of ciation annually recognizes mayor in 1998, he has been sociation with Tech. dation Board. Rachal continued his edu- education. past graduates who have an avid member of the comToday, Allen is president cation at Oklahoma State Before accepting her most showed outstanding achieve- munity. He is a 35 year mem- Email comments to of Pipe Line Constructors, University, where he earned recent teaching position as ments after Tech, they also ber of Lions International mag043@latech.edu.

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

Organizations step into homecoming

ADDIE MARTIN Staff Reporter Homecoming may seem as though it only lasts for one week, but behind the scenes, it has been going on since September. Step, a type of dance in which participants use their entire body to make rhythm by using spoken word, clapping and stomping, is demonstrated at the Tech Step Show each year held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the Scotty Robertson Memorial Gym. Antoria Leggett, a senior speech pathology major, said organizations all over campus are practicing every day and working hard to prepare for the upcoming step show. As the president of National Talent and Council, she said the step show deserves hard work because it was formed in order to enhance unity between all organizations across campus. Leggett said she thinks the Greeks are leaders and role models on campus, so the step show is a way for them to come together for a positive reason. There will be eight organizations stepping to the beat of school spirit in the 2012 show. We had eight last year also, but this year there are different teams, like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Leggett said. The teams face the hard work head on as the show quickly approaches. Caroline Sotile, a senior biology major, said her team, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, has been practicing four times per week for the past four weeks. We try to have so many practices so everyone is able to make it to at least two or three every week, she said. School does come first though, so the girls are not kicked off the step team if they miss. Caitlyn Hendricks, a sophomore family and child studies major, said her group, Temple Tech/BCM, are lucky if they get time off from practice. We practice in our sleep, she said. We have been going strong since the end of September. Practice, practice, practice is what is heard from the teams willing to participate in a dance that is not seen very often. Step is not something that is just thrown together overnight, said Hendricks. You not only have to hear the beat and have at least a little bit of coordination but also have to listen to each other. Step is all about unity and making the beat together, she said. However, Sotile said the practice is not the only important aspect. So much work is put into it, she said. We had to cut the music, train someone to work with the music to know when to stop it for step and start it again for dance and talk to T-shirt chairs to get shirts made for the event. She said all of the hard work pays off in the end. The step show is not only an easy way to earn points for homecoming week, but it is also a chance to show spirit for homecoming, to show unity with other campus organizations and to show the artistic ability to perform a step and dance, Sotile said. Leggett said some teams even get creative with the performance. The most creative thing I have ever seen is a backflip off of a pyramid, said Leggett. It was very risky but looked cool. Hendricks said the teams this year plan to add acrobatics, tumbling, skits, strange costumes and much more in order to make sure their step is the best step. Even though the Step Show is not a competition, we want to represent our organization well, she said. May the best team win.

Photo by Sharma Bhandari

The BCM/Temple Tech team prepares for their first step show.

Email comments to alm085@latech.edu.

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

A year in the life of homecoming royalty

SCOTT WALKINGSTICK Staff Reporter Right before she was crowned homecoming queen of 2011, Morgan Broussard reflected back on the entire process she had been through during the previous week and wondered how she made it this far. When the announcer called her name, she said she was in absolute shock. I remember thinking to myself, Did this really just happen? said Broussard, a senior marketing major. I truly could not believe my name had just been called out as the homecoming queen. Broussard said she remembers the crowd cheering and being very supportive. Broussard had her parents and grandparents at the ceremony and said they were just as shocked. They were very proud I made the homecoming court, but they never thought I would be queen, she said. Broussard was crowned alongside Top Escort of 2011, Shane Rich, a senior finance major. Rich said it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the homecoming king over the past year. If it werent for the many generations of faculty, staff and alumni who have come before me, then there would be little to speak of at this institution, Rich said. Broussard said she felt she had a responsibility to give back to Tech and to show support for the Bulldogs in every way possible after becoming queen. I shared my love and support for Tech by being an active member of many organizations on campus and attending sporting events, Broussard said. Broussard said over the past year, she has tried to give her time to the university that has given her so much and impacted her life so greatly. I want to tell everyone on homecoming court to enjoy all the events during the entire homecoming week, Broussard said. One of my favorite moments was being on the football field and seeing all my friends, family, Tech fans and alumni supporting me. It was a oncein-a-lifetime experience. A word of wisdom from Broussard to the future queen is to really reflect about the wonderful opportunity she has to represent the students and Tech. Rich said he does not like to place emphasis on his title, but prefers to recognize the success of the institution that he is fortunate to be a part of.

Being named homecoming king simply gave me another reason to strive to give back to the university in any way possible and attempt to embody the values that our university represents, he said. Regardless Rich believes it is the duty of every student to support growth and excellence of Techs many facets. Broussard said when she crowns the 2012 queen, it will be a bittersweet yet exciting moment. Being crowned was truly an unforgettable experience for me, and I hope it has the same impact on this years queen, she said. I have confidence in my fellow students that they will choose a truly deserving person to have the honor of being named queen, and I am excited to pass the title to her. Rich said the continued success of Tech is evident today and is something he is proud of. I cannot express enough gratitude toward those who had a role in establishing the foundation of this institution and for all the people in my life who have helped me along the way and helped mold me into the individual I am today, Rich said.

Submitted photo

Morgan Broussard and Shane Rich presented as 2011 Homecoming Queen and Top Escort.

Email comments to rsw020@latech.edu.

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

Tower stand is a test of mind and body

KELSY KERSHAW Staff Reporter Mustard, chocolate syrup and eggs were only three of the food items that dressed Lexie Kennedys hoodie and hair after the tower stand competition last year during homecoming week. It takes hours of cleaning and showering to get rid of the smell, she said. Although, I did enjoy the opportunity to compete on behalf of my sorority. Kennedy, a senior kinesiology major, said she has competed in the event for the past two years and has been victorious both times. However, she said the event was anything but fun. I stayed on the wall for about four and a half hours, she said. It was miserable. In the tower stand event, participants stand with their hands on the clock tower while they have food poured on them every 15 to 30 minutes, said Katherine Strahan, the 2012 SGA homecoming chairman. The top four winners receive points for their organization, she said. First place receives 100 points, second place90 points, third place80 points and fourth place70 points. Kennedy said winning is so rewarding after the physical and mental workout participants endure during the event. After standing there for so many hours, your body becomes numb, she said. It is so miserable and physically demanding. The name of the competition can be deceiving, as there is more involved than just standing next to the clock tower, said Andrew Bellairs, a junior finance major. Being a participant is really physically tough, he said. I thought it was just going to be a contest which depended on my ability to stand there and handle gross things. Like Kennedy, Bellairs said he has been a participant of the competition for the past two years. However, he said he enjoyed his experience as a participant. It is a great thing to say you have accomplished, especially, after you take 10 or more showers to get rid of the smell, he said. Taking the food that is thrown at them is the easy part, Bellairs said. It is holding the physical positions and being in the state of mind for an athletic competition that makes it tough for participants. If you are not in decent shape, cannot handle flexibility or hold positions on one leg, then it is nearly impossible to succeed, Bellairs said. Kennedy said the physicality is one thing she thinks people fail to realize about the competition. It brings a little bit of pain and more discomfort, but in the end, it really is fun, said Bellairs. You just have to stay in the correct mindset, he said. It is very easy to get involved in all the distractions [food being thrown] happening around you. He said the key is to not focus on only your body. Some of the positions get painful, he said. You have to try and make it an out-of-body experience. Determination is what Kennedy said carried her through to victory. I hate to lose, she said. You have to be a very competitive person to make it far in this competition. This year, Kennedy said she has a test the day of tower stand or she would plan on winning a third time. I want to wish all the participants good luck, she said. It will be miserable but that makes winning even more rewarding. In the end, it is not just winning that makes the experience rewarding, Bellairs said. This is one of the few competitions where only one person represents an entire group that is competing, he said. It is a great privilege to represent my fraternity in such a way.

It is determination like Kennedys and dedication like Bellairss that makes the competition a true success, Strahan said, along with the unity showcased by participating organizations. It shows the Tech family coming together to support their organizations participants, she said. They stand on the sidelines and cheer their representative to never quit.

Email comments to kjk016@latech.edu.

Chance Meyers participates in the 2011 competition.

Submitted photo

CONGRATULATES
OUR HOMECOMING NOMINEES

Barbara Baldwin

John Foster Chestnut

Mallory Cox

BEAT USFA!

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

Tech remembers former queen

ALLISON EAST Staff Reporter I was fortunate to have Courtney complete one of her student teaching assignments in my classroom, ach year one lucky girl walks wrote Tammy Schales. Her bright across the field at Joe Alsmiling face and infectious laugh liet Stadium, gets kissed on made my third grade room so much the cheek by Tech President more cheerful for the time she shared Dan Reneau and stands in front of with us. the students as their homecoming The accident occurred on La. 913 queen. only a few miles from her parents In 2006, the students chose home. Her funeral was held May 25, Courtney Scott McGuffee, a senior 2007 at her home church, First Bapearly childhood education major, to tist Church in Harrisonburg. When in receive this honor. Ruston, she attended Temple Baptist Actually making the court was Church. overwhelming; I absolutely love Courtney and Klark were in Louisiana Tech and I have grown so our Sunday School class at Temple much here, she said to Tech Talk reBaptist, Matt and Amanda Barham porters in 2006 before being named wrote. Courtney was a beautiful lady queen. I feel that my Tech experiand I enjoyed the few times we were ences have molded and shaped me able to spend together. I remember to the person I am today and I am talking with her about finding a job in honored to be selected by the stuthe fall. She was a wonderful person dent body to represent Tech as part and will be missed by many. of homecoming court. Together the condolences paint Days after the interview, Mca picture of the inspirational person Guffee and her escort, Caleb Smith, many found her to be. They can still were formally presented as queen be accessed online through Youngs and top escort in front of a huge Funeral Home. crowd of students, alumni and fans McGuffee spent her time at Tech during the Tech vs. Idaho homecomgiving back to the university she File Photo by Donny Crowe ing game. said in interviews and it gave her so I looked at Caleb and asked if Courtney McGuffee, pictured alongside top escort Caleb Smith, was crowned homecoming queen in 2006, much. Through Phi Mu, orientation I had just heard my name called, but died in a car accident recently after being crowned queen. and the Students of Louisiana Early McGuffee said in a Tech Talk interChildhood Education Association, view. I knew it was true when I was she touched many lives. approached by Dr. Reneau and last As seven girls take the field Satas planned May 19, 2007. Four days later, had the most positive attitude and never years queen, Blair Bahlinger, who were all she headed home to see her family, lost seemed to have a bad day. There was not urday night, they will walk over the same smiles. control of her car and fatally crashed. a mean bone in her body and there was al- patches of grass Courtney Scott McGuffee Before being named homecoming Courtney was one of the sweetest, most ways a smile on her face that lit up the entire walked on as queen six years ago. queen, McGuffee served as a 2005 Orien- down to earth people I have ever met, Tech room. The impact she made on people went far tation Student Leader with her then future alumna Lauren Barron wrote in the familys The condolence book is filled with mem- beyond the field, and her memory will reign fianc Klark Kent. The two were set to be condolence book. She was my sister in Phi ories and stories about McGuffee from a far longer than her crown. married shortly after graduation. But the Mu, my orientation leader and my class- variety of people, including teachers she wedding never came. Courtney graduated mate in family and child studies. She always student taught with. Email comments to ace007@latech.edu.

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HOMECOMING EDITION 2012

General Patton fighting for Biletnikoff

DEREK J. AMAYA Associate Sports Editor Fred Biletnikoff, a wide receiver for the Florida State University Seminoles from 1961 through 1964, set school single season records with 57 receptions, 987 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. These were impressive numbers for the time. Forty-eight years later, redshirt senior wide receiver Quinton Patton is threefourths into the season and has 65 receptions, 848 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. While his stats paint a picture of what he does on the gridiron, his smile shows why his personality could win over a lot of hearts. Bulldog fans may be seeing the Dogs second ever Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, the first being Troy Edwards in 1998. Patton is currently on the watch list for the award, given to the nations top receiver every year. Its great to have that in front of your name. You know, watch list, Patton said. But Im all about wins. If I dont win it, oh well. If I do, oh well. As long as we have a winning season at the end, its all good. Born in Nashville, Tenn., the General, nicknamed after Gen. George S. Patton, attended Coffeyville Community College in Kansas and for his first two seasons. Originally, Patton was going to go to Texas Tech University, until they took away his scholarship. Then some man named Mark Tommerdahl (inside receivers coach) came from Louisiana Tech, which I had never heard about, Patton said, laughing. He said to take a visit down here and I would like it. I didnt believe him. But then I came down here and I swear as soon as I stepped foot off the plane that it just felt good in my heart that this is the place I should be at. Once here, Patton said he was treated like any other recruit to grace Joe Aillet Stadium with his or her prescence. Attending practice, he soon became familiar with assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Rob Likens, who is someone he credits for making him the player he is.

honor if he wins the prestigious award and wants to thank everybody who made him the receiver he is. I give great credit to the man above, he said. God first, then Ive got to credit my mom and all the coaches who have coached me, especially coach Likens. Patton, with a smile from ear to ear, said he is happy to be playing in front of his fans in Ruston. Tech is my second home besides Nashville, Tenn., he said. This is where I grind at and bleed at. I bleed that red and blue.

Redshirt senior wide recevier Quinton General Patton is up for the 2012 Biletnikoff Award.
(Patton) makes everybody good around him, Likens said. On top of that, hes a good person and coachable. Thats what makes him great. He wants to be a better player and person. Likens added he does the little things right, such as loving to practice, running good routes and being a tremendous blocker. He can dominate a game all by himself, Likens said. Theres times where he can just take over a game. I havent been around a guy who has the unique ability to elevate his game when he needs to. Against good competition, he plays better. Patton, the man who always rings the bell before home games, said he is one of the leaders, but it is more about the team effort. There are vocal leaders and quiet leaders, he said, smiling. The more vocal leader is me. Thats in my nature; I have a lot of energy. I try to get everybody going. Patton said it would be a great

Photo by Sumeet Shrestha

Email comments to dja014@ latech.edu.

BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST

Quinton Patton Louisiana Tech senior

848 yards 65 receptions 10 touchdowns

Terrance Williams

Baylor University senior

1203 yards 60 receptions 9 touchdowns

DeAndre Hopkins

Clemson senior

Austin Franklin 965 yards 57 receptions 9 touchdowns

N.M. State sophomore

Willie Snead

Ball State sophomore

901 yards 65 receptions 6 touchdowns

909 yards 58 receptions 10 touchdowns

Behind the scenes with Tech Athletics:

Beasley: from athlete to employee
ALLISON EAST Staff Reporter Leah Beasley pushed aside her long curly hair and grinned as she talked about how much she loves her job. Beasley, the associate athletics director in charge of marketing and game management, graduated from Ruston High and came to Tech in 2001 to play softball. She has been involved in Tech athletics ever since. Being an athlete I knew some of the advisers here and the directors here, and Stacy (Gilbert) helped me get on as a GA, she said. I was a graduate assistant for our athletics director at that time, Jim Oakes. I always thank him for giving me my first chance. Beasley credits Gilbert with helping her choose her major. It was before a road trip, and you have to declare by your junior year, Beasley said. She brought me in, and she said you cant travel unless you declare, and I was like I have two hours to decide this? Gilbert and Beasley discussed Beasleys interest in people and decided marketing was the way to go. Declared and ready, Beasley headed to the game. Beasley received her bachelors in marketing in May 2005 ing events per weekend. and completed the masters of Her favorite part of working business administration pro- the games is getting to run the gram in August 2006. public address system. When I got my MBA, he I get to interact with the (Oakes) had a full-time position fans and just be down there, available and wanted to open it Beasley said. I get to see what up and actually have a market- goes on in the behind-theing department, so I jumped scenes aspect of it. Being a on that, she said. Theyve fan is great too, but getting to been stuck with me ever since. make the decisions behind the I love it. Id rather be scene is really cool. busy than bored. Im very blessed to Beasley does get to do that. promotions for all While managing 16 of Techs NCAA all of Techs sports sports. She said they takes up a lot of her focus primarily on time, Beasley still football, mens and finds time for herwomens basketball, self. volleyball, soccer, I usually am softball and baseoutside, she said. I ball. walk around here. I There are two have a dog, so I walk BEASLEY different sides basihim around here at cally, Beasley said. night. I dont want Its your marketing and your to be stuck around my house. promotions on one side and Thats something I dont do a your branding and your licens- lot is just sit around the house. ing on another. Its making I spent most of my time here. sure that all of the publications Sometimes I feel like I should we put out look good, putting pay the Thomas Assembly the best foot forward for Tech Center rent. athletics. The other side is Beasley said her coworkers the game management side, help her time at the TAC feel making sure the games run less like work and more like a smoothly. family. She said much more goes Its a close-knit group here into game planning and man- just because we do work toaging than most fans realize. gether so much and it is a small If we have a basketball staff, she said. I like to spend game or a football game, its a lot of time with my staff, the script or the timing sheet, friends or my dog. she said. Its setting up ofTalking about the long ficials and making sure the hours of her job, Beasley nevvisiting teams are set up. Our er stops smiling. She wears a football scriptliterally every black Tech jacket and flips her 30 seconds is timed. hair. Her love for Tech and her Beasley works far more than job fills every word. the usual 40-hour workweek. She said sometimes there are Email comments to have between 10 and 12 sport- ace007@latech.edu.

Techs man behind the jumbotron

AUSTIN VINING Managing Editor Each season fans fill Techs football mecca, Joe Aillet Stadium, to watch the players on the field, theres another presence commanding the attention of thousands. The Jumbotron, Dawgzilla, fulfills many facets of service for fans. The massive screen provides fans access to instant replays, commercials featuring Tech alumni and interactive content like the Kiss Cam. For such an integral part of Tech football, few people know the man behind the two-ton TV. During home football games I direct the content, said Josh McDaniel, multimedia services manager, Everything you see on the video board, we have a specific time that it will be played. McDaniel, an 05 Tech alumnus, is in charge of letting the producer know what to do to create a seamless display for Bulldog fans and visitors alike. Im also responsible for all of the music you hear, he said. McDaniel is responsible for editing, loading and sending off music for the football games. Football media is not the only capacity in which McDaniel works. I love baseball season; period, he said. McDaniel not only prepares music and runs the public address system for Techs home baseball games, but he is also in charge of marketing and promotions. We really dont have seasons in marketing, he said, We have seasons

on the field, but were always trying to figure out what we can do; Im working on a marketing plan for baseball now. When McDaniel is not perched in the baseball press box or calling the shots for the jumbotron, he can be found in his office, located in the Thomas Assembly Center. JMac, as hes known by many, sits behind his desk, which is surrounded by boxes filled with T-shirts and other promotional materials. A focal point in the room is the 55 television, which doubles as his computer monitor. Being in charge of multimedia for athletics is a pretty broad job description, which McDaniel said consists of monitoring the website, web streaming and social media. I absolutely love what I get to do on a daily basis, he said, Im one of the few people who doesnt mind if their boss catches them on Facebook. Thats exciting to me, McDANIEL being in this field. Its a growing industry: social media is booming. The field of work is challenging in that it is always evolving, McDaniel said. If you get stuck doing stuff the way you always have youll get left in this field, he said, I love learning new things and applying those. McDaniel said the best part is being able to work in college athletics and sports, and that is something he has wanted to do for a while. I get to be enveloped in sports every day, he said, And even better, I get to do it at my Alma Mater.

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