The unseen Rutgers
Archived article from Feb 9, 2001
By Douglas Frank
Before and after a game, that's when the "real work" takes place in the Louis Brown Athletic Center, says a grinning electrician breaking down the computer terminals used for scoring that evening's Rutgers-West Virginia men's basketball game.
He is among some two dozen Rutgers employees who both prepare the center before and square it away after home games of the Scarlet Knights men's and women's basketball team and other athletic and social events throughout the year.
So while Steve Zomer is disconnecting wires, others are stacking chairs from the media section, cleaning the restrooms, sweeping the main lobby and combing the stands for trash left behind by patrons.
The electrician is among workers "borrowed" from facilities, but most working here as the fans file out are members of the athletics department's custodial and grounds crew, under the direction of Doug Kokoskie, a former footballer in the Dick Anderson era, who is assistant athletic director for operations.
Their work isn't limited to the "RAC," however. Kokoskie's people, who work day, weekends and nights as needed, are also responsible for maintenance of the football stadium, the soccer-lacrosse stadium, the baseball, softball and track complex and the indoor bubble.
|
