A few years back, I wrote Game Day, a behind-the scenes look at a major league baseball game. I was pleased with how the book turned out, and at the positive response it got. Since then, I’ve been exploring other venues for behind-the-scenes looks. I completed one manuscript, Around the Clock at an Aquarium, that it now being marketed. Another idea percolating was a college football game.
Last spring I, along with Mighty Oregon magazine publisher Jerry Thompson, approached the University of Oregon to get the permission needed to gain access for the information I’d have to have. Permission did not come lightly. It took lining up a publisher (QSL) and obtaining a license. These took eight painstaking months.
Last week I got the official go-ahead and flew into action. Armed with media passes for my research assistant (Ava Litton) and me, we attended the UO vs. Cal game. The journey officially began. We met in the press box with the photographer for the project, Jack Liu, and brainstormed image possibilities. Then we were off, in and around the stadium, observing the goings-on.
The fantabulous Jack Liu, with his homemade camera rain protector.
Spectators had not be admitted yet, but there was lots going on. The band practiced, the bench areas were set up, the photographers connected their computers and readied them for uploading their pictures. Some of the players were on the field, stretching, running, and playing catch.
Linebacker Rodney Hardrick does his pre-game warm-up, despite the distraction.
Thanks to the generous help of Dave Williford, head of football communications, we got oriented to the many facets (and there are many!) of the press box. Thinking about all the behind-the-scenes parts of a game was a bit overwhelming, but we’ll have two more games to gather info. There’s also time during the week to interview people.
Starting Monday after the game, I got on it and have made contact with some players as well as the head athletic trainer, equipment manager, guys in charge of the food, and the head of tickets. There’s lots more to go, but the flow of information has started. The challenge before the next game is to replay the interview tapes and take notes. I’ll be making a timeline of game day to help me organize the information.
There’s lots of helmet choices.
Locker-room living-room
Gratefully, I’ll have all winter to work on the writing part. I’ll need it!
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