What appealed to you the most about GameDay, that made you want to join?

It’s just a bunch of people doing what they love, what they are passionate about. I saw the passion and hard work that was going into GameDay and really wanted to get involved with something like that. It also looked like a lot of fun. Despite all the hard work and planning that goes into GameDay, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, goofing around and making jokes while working efficiently. It just seems like the ideal organization to join, whether you want to have fun, work hard, or both.

So, what exactly do you do?

Officially, I am the GameDay Spokesperson. Essentially, this means that any advertising or promoting GameDay wants to do, they usually go to me. I do a lot of commercials, events, and personal marketing. Since I’m so intrinsically involved with the video announcements, I also give input on improving and enhancing the entertainment factor of videos. As a spokesperson, I have the responsibility of maintaining the reputation and image of GameDay. It’s a really fun, sometimes difficult, but always rewarding position.

What does it take to get where you are now?

Character, character, character! You have to have the courage and that happy-go-lucky attitude that people find appealing. A lot of the times, I look stupid on announcements, but I have to look past that and remind myself it’s just for fun and for promoting sports at Oxford Academy. You need to have a lot of charisma, and you definitely can’t be shy around the camera! Lastly, it’s important to be patient and work with other GameDay members in a cooperative and productive fashion. Many times, the director of GameDay videos will do seven to nine takes of one scene, force you to act ridiculously, and just tire you out. It is, however, important to realize it’s all for the organization and the sports, so be patient!

What are the best & worst parts about your job?

The best parts are working with the Oxford community, meeting students, parents, and staff and talking to them about Oxford, sports, and just overall getting to know them better. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people come out to games and congratulate you on your work. Sometimes it’s a little embarrassing to see yourself on the announcements, but more often than not people will come up to me and tell me how cool it was, rather than how stupid I looked. As a spokesperson, you get a lot of the fun perks without having the ordeals of other jobs, such as writers, photographers, or field crew. Overall, I’d say it’s one of the best jobs to have in GameDay.

Any last words or commentary you have say about GameDay?

Anyone who wants to join GameDay, or even people who don’t, should just give it a chance. There’s always a job for everyone. Whether you want to manage people, improve your writing skills, get a chance at being a photographer, learn about video production, design websites, or learn the value of hard work, GameDay has something for everyone. I know how clichéd that sounds, but GameDay is honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had at Oxford Academy. I’m blessed by great co-workers and peers, people that I am proud to call my friends.

Do you believe you have to love sports to be in GD? Explain why or why not.

Even if you don’t like sports, GameDay has a job for you. I myself was not interested in sports at all until I joined GameDay. A lot of the time, I had no idea what was going on or what I was doing. I learned to adapt to my settings, get my work done, and accomplish my goals, and I feel as though I have improved as an individual from it. You might actually be surprised, I didn’t think I would be interested in basketball or baseball, but actually going to the games (CIF Championship, Homecoming) is an incredibly fun and visceral experience. It was literally like going to the World Series or the NBA Finals! Trust me, I’m a guy who likes Star Trek and politics, sports fanatic does not fit my personality. But after joining GameDay, I’ve become a lot more invested in Oxford athletics and sports in general. If you don’t like sports, or really don’t get why people like sports, then GameDay should be an organization you should especially consider joining.