BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- When college all-star football players from
around the country hit the field Monday afternoon for the 20th
annual USA Football Bowl at the Hoover Met in Birmingham, high
above in the press box Tennessee Tech sports information and
facilities personnel will be running the show. The TTU staff who
man Golden Eagle home games in Tucker Stadium have been chosen as
the official game hosts for the contest.
Members of the Tech sports information staff will compile the
official game stats, host visiting media, handle the public address
announcements, and video all aspects of the game to produce a
highlight DVD. Meanwhile, Tech facilities personnel will be seated
at the controls of the clock and scoreboard, as well as providing
in-game sound and music.
"We're very proud of the operations at our home games," said Mark
Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics. "We make a tremendous effort to
run a first-class operation with our home games, to make them
memorable and enjoyable for the fans, the student-athletes and the
coaching staffs of each school.
"So, it's no surprise that our staffs were selected for game
operations for the USA Football Bowl," Wilson said. "They will do
an outstanding, first-class job in a different venue, and do a
great job in representing Tennessee Tech, the same as the two
Golden Eagle players will do on the field."
Rob Schabert, TTU Assistant Athletic Director for Sports
Information and Broadcasting, will direct the Tech contingent at
the game. Schabert, who is in his 31st season on the Tech Athletics
staff, received the request from Dennis Wilson, president of the
USA Football Network who is serving his 23rd consecutive term as
president of the Metropolitan New York Football Writers
Association.
In addition to Schabert, Tech staff who will work the game include
sports information coordinator Mike Lehman, video coordinators Matt
Wagner and Andrew Neff, volunteer statistician Art Gernt, plus
facilities coordinators Matt Dexter and Tyler Birdwell.
The USA Football Bowl will draw top players from the NCAA's
Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III, as
well as players from the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA), National Christian College Athletic Association
(NCCAA) and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA),
officials said. On Tuesday, the USA Professional Football Leagues
Testing Combine will be held, featuring NFL, CFL, and AFL coaches
and scouts.
Golden Eagle offensive lineman Wesley Sherrill
and defensive end Malcolm
Mitchell were selected to play in the game. Punter Chad Zinchini
was also invited to participate but had to decline due to other
commitment.
