UMSL Athletics, volunteers pitch in to create a positive environment during the Midwest Regional Championships
Members of the UMSL volleyball team celebrate the closing point in their Midwest Region Championship win over Ferris State as the crowd erupts behind them Saturday at the Mark Twain Athletic Center. (Photo by Patrick Clark/Athlete's Eye Photography)
All eyes were on fourth place University of Missouri – St. Louis volleyball team last weekend as it hosted the Division II NCAA Midwest Region tournament at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.
The Tritons put on a show for the 1,000 weekend crowd, dispatching eighth-seeded Missouri S&T, fifth-seeded Grand Valley State and second-seeded Ferris State to capture the team's second straight Midwest Region Championship and then earn a spot in the national quarterfinals .
However, behind the scenes, a team of UMSL Athletics staff members, student-athletes and student volunteers worked around the clock to ensure the three-day event ran smoothly.
Director of Athletics Lori Flanagan said the regional tournament was an important effort.
Sam Bunn, a computer science student, sets up the live broadcast before the Ferris State-Rockhurst game Friday afternoon during the Division II NCAA Midwest Region Tournament. Bunn was one of many volunteers working around the clock to ensure the three-day event ran smoothly. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)
“Any time you make a bid to host an NCAA regional, it's a huge undertaking because you have to give a fair chance to all eight teams that come in,” Flanagan said. “You have to have people who are very, very knowledgeable about what they're doing. You simply have no margin for error. You have to get the coordination of every department on campus to help you, which includes campus police, custodians, food services, student life, facilities, maintenance, and even Triton Sound.”
UMSL submitted a regional bid earlier this season and Department of Athletics staff members met for six weeks to discuss logistics, including game broadcasts, campus signage, hotel contracts and online ticketing. Even with advance preparation, the department only had less than a week to implement its plan after the district was awarded.
“You have everything lined up and you just really have to trust that the things you have ready to go can be turned around in a short period of time,” Flanagan said. “You need all the teams to really pull together and help.”
Fortunately, Flanagan had enough support to prepare approximately 1,200 participants – athletes, coaching staffs, members of the media and spectators – to descend on campus over the course of three days. He said everyone in the department – from administrative staff to medical instructors – contributed in some capacity. In particular, he highlighted the efforts of student-athletes and student volunteers.
“We asked the student-athletes to be hosts for each visiting team,” Flanagan said. “They greeted the teams as they arrived on campus. They brought them to our building. They were shown where their changing rooms were. They stayed with them while they practiced. They met them every day, whether it was for training or a game.”
Student-athletes and student volunteers – including athletic management majors who earned service learning hours during the tournament – also sold concessions, merchandise and tickets, produced the digital live streams and helped toss balls during practices and games.
Athletic administration students sell tickets prior to the start of Friday afternoon's semifinal volleyball match between Rockhurst and Ferris State in the lobby of the Mark Twain Athletic Center. Sports management students worked in various roles throughout the weekend to help the Athletics Department host the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
“The really cool thing is that you could give groups of students instructions on what to do, and they just knew how to do it and get it done,” Flanagan said. “They were so helpful and accommodating.”
Staff members such as Jackie Warrenhis manager Residential Life and Housing, also entered. Warren is a sports fan and attends as many UMSL sporting events as possible. As Warren watched the Tritons dominate the court during the regular season, she spoke with Flanagan about the possibility of the university hosting the regional.
“Lori had asked, 'If they were to host the regional, would I like to help?' Warren recalls. “Right away, I said, 'Yes!' Life and Housing and I strongly believe in supporting colleagues and students on campus when major events and special occasions occur.”
During the tournament, Warren was in the hospitality room, where she kept the area stocked with food and beverages for coaches, members of the media, referees, tournament staff and VIPs. He also helped welcome visitors from schools and answered questions as they arose.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik expressed her appreciation for the effort of everyone who contributed to the tournament.
“Athletics is the front door to our university, and this tournament showcases our beautiful campus and outstanding athletic facilities to others who may not have experienced our campus,” Sobolik said. “Our team is top notch with excellent coaching, training and sports administration support. I am also pleased with how our campus community has come out to support the Tritons.”
Overall, Flanagan said she was pleased with how well the tournament came together and credited the UMSL fans with helping create a positive atmosphere
“If you don't get any complaints, you know you've done a really good job and we haven't had any complaints,” he said. “We feel like we put on an A-class event and we think the fans really enjoyed their experience here.”
