Events People

 

 

By Marie DeMars, NSC Media Intern

Summer is a synonym for “busy” in Minnesota, and though we may stop to smell the tulips, better make it brief so we’re not late to the lake, soccer practice, crop planting, Grandma’s house, or a picnic. Busy takes on layers of meaning, however, for Events People. Though they may have time to dip a toe in the local lake, Events People will mostly be helping others make great summer memories, the iconic kind they’ll recall when explaining how Minnesota looked in the good ‘ol days.

 We owe Events People credit for some of the best times we can recall. These guardians of disaster-preparedness, these denizens of outdoor tents and registration tables take more than their fair share of abuse. And things go off with nary a hitch and always a smile. Considering what they manage to do in the face of natural and manmade obstacles, these are smart, brave people. Who wouldn’t want to be that? I am about to have the chance. 

My name is Marie DeMars, and I am the media intern for the National Sports Center. I have a freshly-minted degree in communication and feel extremely fortunate to have been added to this year’s brilliant intern team. I have to say, though, that I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Last Monday at orientation, I sat down at a long table with 13 other interns, and Teri Vogt, director of field sports and the Schwan’s USA Cup, presented by PUMA, explained Events People. They find the lost, fix the broken and prepare backup plans in every letter of the alphabet. Their cars have several changes of clothes, sunscreen, food, blankets and toothbrushes. I looked around the room and realized, knowingly or not, that’s what we were diving into. 

 

With an early Memorial Day this year, the NSC Cup tested our skills after just one week on the job. Sunshine and moderate temperatures gave us a helping hand, as did our nifty green golf carts. Having the key to a golf cart and a walkie-talkie is somewhat like being a super hero. In case of trouble, you can be on the spot in a flash, ready to fix tent strings or fill up ice chests. We even got to wear uniforms, and between you and me, they were much cooler than tights and unitards.

I’m soccer illiterate, so I picked up a few pointers this weekend from the interns who play, especially Abbie Maxson and Heather Anderson, both of whom play on collegiate soccer teams. Two of the last games on Saturday went into overtime, and then PKs (penalty kicks). The pressure! Watching the teams fight to the last breath in the setting Minnesota sun was pretty amazing, and I didn’t even know what was going most of the time.

 

The verdict: We survived the weekend mostly unscathed and ready to make some more event magic happen at the Wal-Mart All-American Cup June 12-14. If you’re there and happen to see us scoot by in a green golf-cart, be sure to wave. And thanks to all the Events People out there. Now more than ever, I have an appreciation of the work you do to put on my favorite events.

Comments

[Jake Lunemann]

I interned last summer and it was absolutely amazing! Try get to know the other interns early on and it will make the summer extra exciting.