Coach O'Connor invited me to take part in a logistics meeting as UVA was preparing to finalize their bids to host a Regional and Super Regional Tournament.  I learned how much goes into the coordination of the tournament.  The meeting was lead by Director of Facilities and Operations, Mike Stroud (http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=3736770) .  Also present were directors of house keeping, ticket sales, marketing, Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, catering, grounds keeping, etc.  The entire weekend has to be planned out with contingencies for everything.  The main concern is weather.  At the end of the day, this isn't about a sporting event.  This is about the economics of a sporting event.  There has to be planning for the amount of staff needed, how much food is needed, etc.  The ultimate goal is to provide the best experience for the fan.  The fan should not know that anything is going on other than the games.  Each objective is to create an experience for the fan that has them not just walking away with great memories about the game/experience.  Further, the fan has to also enjoyed the experience so much that they are already looking forward to their next experience.  This meeting was about making sure everyone in the ballpark and at the University understands this approach and embodies it.

I also started interviewing current players in preparation for the New Recruit Mentorship Program.  I sat down with Jared Kind ( 
http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88824&SPID=10613&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=3634295&Q_SEASON=2011)

as one of the more experienced leaders on the team.  We talked for approximately 45 minutes about some of the things that he experienced and what he saw as critical parts of this new program.

Coach O'Connor was meeting with Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Operatives, Jason Bauman (http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1133799).  He invited me to sit in on the meeting as a learning opportunity as the initial planning phases of hosting a Regional and Super Regional Tournament were be looked at.  This was a different kind of meeting from the previous years since the certainty of hosting was an unknown.  Coach O'Connor certainly felt that the season has progressed to the point of being worthy of hosting one or both of the tournaments, but many things had to fall into place.  The main point of the meeting was to determine the game plan of ticket sales; to include parking.  AAD Bauman wanted to make sure Coach O'Connor was satisfied with the idea of putting tickets on-sale.  Many coaches and athletes are very superstitious.  However, Coach O'Connor understand the necessity of planning and coordinating.  He was fine with the plan and endorsed the ticket and marketing plans.


The rest of the day was spent shadowing Coach O'Connor and observing him deal with the daily operations of running the program and preparing for practice that day.