Shining the Lights on the Team that’s Not Always on the Field
Football games are all about the buzz on the field, players scoring touchdowns and fans cheering on the team. But the sport isn’t all about the folks that are on the field. Some people decide to sacrifice some of their time to serve the fans. All of these hardworking parents and alumni of the school have put tons of work and effort in supporting the school they or their students have experienced. These volunteers show their support, in different ways, and they have their own set of skills that keep the Mariner spirit alive.
When you enter the field, who will check your ticket and let you in? The ticketing office has got you covered, with Vanessa Parker and Marilia Dos Santos leading the operation. Their job is to check in folks through booster passes on GoFan, and help them buy tickets if they haven’t already. Vanessa has said that her favorite part about doing this is “Interacting with a variety of students, and helping the visiting team when they’re new to the school.”
After you pass the entrance, a tingling sensation in your tummy might entice you to get some food. That’s where the chefs come in to help you out. Lulu Garcia leads in the Mariner Cafe, while Chuck Reichel, the Pit Master, leads his sous chefs, including Bernice Beierly-Dizon, Daniel and Carmen O’Rourke (many alumni of Moreau) in preparing the food. O’Rourke says that by cooking up food for fans, they “entice and enhance food from the pit master, creating amazing experiences with food, by cooking with the heart, like homecooking.” Look out for the Tri-Tip, as it’s a fan favorite from parents and students alike.
(Above Photos: left: The chefs and sous chefs for the Mariner Cafe, including Chuck R., Pit Master, second from left. right: Lulu Garcia and others working the Mariner Cafe. Photos by Jordan Christopher Bermudez)
Once the game begins, the PA announcer will get you and the fans hyped, announcing the plays and scores and informing the crowd on what happens. I was able to get a hold of JV Announcer, Mariner Alumni and former faculty Christine Krisman, who helps announce JV games from the scorebox. Along with her are senior students Sneet Stifanos and Saanya Menon who help spot player numbers and update the scoreboard. When announcing, Krisman knows it’s important to pay attention to the game, know how much to talk, and to stay lighthearted and positive. One thing that she enjoys in the scorebox is looking at the football field, and seeing it in all its glory.
As you start to head back home, you pass by a merch stand, selling Moreau clothes and other goodies. Next to the Mariner Cafe, Mayra, Veronica I., Tracy, and Veronica H. can get you decked out in Mariner Wear. These volunteers enjoy talking to everybody, as well as meeting parents and families, helping them walk away with a smile. It turns out that weather has a large effect on sales, as on cold days, people tend to buy hoodies. Sometimes they offer embroidery that you can’t get anywhere else but at the home games, especially for the upcoming Homecoming game on October 24.
Like a football team, all these volunteers that work behind the scenes help keep the games we know and love running smoothly. They work together in different ways, like positions in football. When asking what position they can relate themselves to while working their jobs, there was a variety of responses, as the Merch Stand crew said Tight-End, the JV announcer saying Cheerleader, the Chefs saying Running Backs, and the Ticketing office said the Special Teams coach. In all these ways, not everybody who’s a hero wears capes, as all these volunteers spend their time and effort making all of these games possible and increasing positivity within the stands. So, next time, when you get greeted by the ticketing office, or receive some food or merchandise, don’t hesitate to thank them for all the work they’ve consistently done for every fan, at every home game.