Page 4B The Behrend Beacon Q Er A: Who's Behind the Scenes? Stacy ‘Pondo meets everyday cdadenges head-on by Kate Levdansky Petrikis assistant sports editor • Stacy Pondo began working at • Penn State Behrend in the fall • of 2000 as an administrative • assistant intern and an assistant • softball coach. In the fall of • 2001, the administrative • position became full-time. • Before joining Behrend, • Pondo was the operations • coordinator for the Erie I Invaders football team of the • Indoor Football League. Her responsibilities game day primary included management, promotions, sponsorships, and ticket sales. In 1999, she worked for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League in ticket sales and game day management. Pondo earned a bachelor degree with dual majors in sports management and marketing from Mercyhurst College in 1999. Beacon: What do you do as the assistant to the director of athletics? Pondo: I have been involved in many aspects of the athletic department, including game day management, summer camps, the Herb Lauffer Memorial Golf Outing, promotions, sponsor ships, registration of summer golf classes, and assisting with softball. Beacon: How did you get this title/ job? CALL OR STOP BY TODAY AND ASK ABOUT THE PHOTO BY MIKE BELLO / BEHREND BEACON Organizational skills are key if you’re the assistant to director of athletics and assistant softball coach, Stacy Pondo has thrived since becoming a full-time employee in the fall. Pondo: The position as the as- and activities in the athletic de sistant to the director of athletics partment. Fortunately for me, my was developed in order to help as- college major, employment back sist with the growth of the sports ground, and desire to work in a , I i 1 ♦ j i ,I r * f 1 i- SPECIALS THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU! y M I * i: , « *f P ' f i * I' tf SPORTS Friday ; March 15, 2002 successful program such as Penn State Behrend were factors that drove me to apply for the position. I also had someone who believed in me and has given me the op portunity to work in the Penn State Behrend athletic depart ment. Beacon: Does being the Assis tant to the Director of Athletics ever relate to being the assistant softball coach? Pondo: Yes, both positions require you to have good communication between the person in charge and the assistant. The organizational skills that I have learned as the assistant to the director of athletics carries over to the organizational aspect of softball by aiding in game planning and practice layout. Beacon: Did you play softball in college? If yes, what do you believe is the most important thing to pass on to the softball athletes that you coach today? Pondo: I played softball for two seasons at the Mercyhurst North East campus. There I started at pitcher and shortstop and carried a .419 career batting average. In 1997-98 an injury forced me to serve as a student assistant coach for the 15-5 Saints. Then, in 1998-99,1 played infield for the Mercyhurst Lakers. The most important thing that I believe can be passed on to today’s athletes is that you have to be persistent in everything you 520 E. Calder Way, State College, PA 16801 www.caldercommons.com *Fully Furnished 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Apartments! *New 24-hour Study Lounge! *Fabulous New Fitness Center! *Super Downtown Location *l/2 a Block From PSU Main Campus! *On-Site Parking & Laundry! *Free Cable TV! *Now Leasing for Fall 2002* do, not only in sports, but also academically and in the work force. Hard work and dedication go a long way. Beacon: What have you learned from your athletes? Pondo: I have learned that each day brings new challenges. All teams will go through [their] good times and bad and whether you win or lose a game, you have to find a way to have fun. Losing tough games builds positive char acter and allows players to build on that experience and/or over come those challenges. Beacon: What do you think is the best position to play? Pondo: I believe every posi tion in the game of softball is just as important as the next. How ever, my favorite position is shortstop. You’re involved in so many plays whether the ball is being hit to you, being a cut-off person from the outfield, or tak ing throw-downs from the catcher to get an out when base runners are stealing. Beacon: Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why? Pondo: I really don’t have a favorite professional athlete. I follow professional teams more than the athletes. My favorite pro fessional sports team is the Pitts burgh Steelers. I happened to love watching the Steelers play foot ball as I was growing up. I be lieve they are a dedicated and hard working team that strives to 814-238-3456 behrcolls @ aol.com win games, and they are a team from Pennsylvania. Beacon: Do you think soft ball has greatly developed over the years due to the college ath letes? How? Pondo: Yes, college athletes have more opportunities to play softball today than in the past. Softball players now have the opportunity to advance on to play ball following college at a professional level, that being the Olympic softball team. Beacon: What is the best memory you have of the Behrend softball team? Pondo: The trips to Florida and spending time getting to know the players and how their personalities interact. Also, see ing a Behrend softball player hit five home runs (two being grand slams) over the fence within 10 games of play. This is unimag inable to most college athletes and a great accomplishment. Beacon: What piece of infor mation can you pass on to fu ture athletes at Behrend? Pondo: Have fun and enjoy every moment of your college career because it all goes by so quickly. Set goals for yourself and follow through with them. Stay focused, stay curious, and do what you say you will do. Every week, the Beacon will engage in a little “ask and re spond” with someone who doesn't make the headlines.
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