Game-ready field takes work

Building Services works to make Concordia athletic facilities ready for game day

Fans arrive at the entrance of Jake Christiansen Stadium decked out in maroon and gold. The stands are full of students, parents and alumni. The Cobber spirit is buzzing through the air. Everyone finds their place in the crowd and joins along in the Cobber fight song.

But during the festivities, not many stop to think about the preparation that goes into the football facility.

“Football requires more work than any other sport because of the large amount of fans that attend the games,” said Brad Jore, the Building Services supervisor.

Jore said there is always work to being done pre-game, mid-game and postgame.

One or two staff members are required for the pre-game preparation. Their responsibilities include setting out trash cans around the facility and stocking rest rooms.

The preparations take around two to three hours. Four staff members work during the game to handle trash and keep restrooms stocked. The Athletic Department is in charge of cleaning up the stands.

Ten student workers collect the garbage left behind by fans. The Building Services staff also has some clean up duties.

The press box alone can take up to two hours to return to pregame condition. Altogether the clean up takes anywhere from four to six hours.

The Building Services staff also maintains the locker room facility. This is a daily task.

Communication is key when juggling event preparation for Memorial Auditorium, Jake Christiansen Stadium and Olson Forum.

The Building Services staff communicates very frequently with the various coaching staffs.

Jore meets with Athletic Director Rich Glas and Building Schedule Coordinator Dave Klug weekly.

“There are so many events in Memorial that our communication keeps us aware of everyone’s concerns and needs,” Jore said.

Jore points out that it is not only sports teams that use the athletic facilities.

Classes, musical ensembles, intramurals and students exercising for personal wellness all take advantage of the athletic facilities Concordia offers.

“The constant activity in these areas keeps our staff busy and energized,” Jore said.

Jore and the Building Services staff are happy to see the facilities so busy and frequently utilized.

“Our staff enjoys interacting with the students that use these facilities,” Jore said. “We only ask that (Cobbers) respect the spaces so that future participants may enjoy them as well.”