PROMOTIONS INTERN, Athletic Dept.
JANE LEE
Sports Editor
The star point guard. The All-American volleyball players. The studs on the diamond. The fish in the pool, otherwise known as the water polo players. The speedy girls on the soccer field. The national champions on the tennis court. Almost everyone on campus is familiar with these athletes, but now it’s about time to take a look at the people who work behind the scenes in the Athletic Department.
In our new feature, “Behind the Scenes With … ”, the sports staff will do a weekly profile on people who work beyond the sidelines at Pepperdine athletic events, whether it’s a trainer, a broadcaster or even a promotions intern, the title of the lucky guy we chose to highlight in our first installment.
Meet junior Dustin Picciolo, whose responsibilites with the Athletic Department range from playing music before, during and after volleyball, soccer and water polo games, creating and posting flyers regarding upcoming Waves events and organizing the promotions on the court for men’s and women’s basketball games.
Picciolo landed the job when his friend, senior sidekick Jordan Bettinger, needed help at a basketball game last season. Picciolo stuck with it, preparing the Riptide tables before games and leading games such as “Dress Like a Wave” and the half-court shot inbetween quarters and timeouts.
“Men’s basketball is definitely my favorite part of the job,” he said. “It’s more active, and we get to go into the crowds and pull people for the on-court promotions. Plus, we get to watch the games when we’re not busy.”
Some of the games can get crazy, espcially if an ESPN crew is present, but Picciolo said working for the athletic department is as good as it gets.
“People like (athletic director) Dr. John Watson are a pleasure to work for,” he said. “They’re flexible and understanding, and they know that school work always comes first.
“Everyone in the athletics office is great, and if I have to study for a test or something on a game night and can’t work, they’re OK with it.”
Now that women’s volleyball, water polo and soccer are in season, he is busy acting as a DJ for the wave of blue and orange. So if you find yourself humming to the sounds of the music from the soccer field out your dorm window, you can thank Picciolo.
“I like to play up-beat songs that can get everyone pumped for the game,” he said. “I love it when I play a song and I see people in the crowds singing and dancing to it.”
The public relations major, who would also like to start managing the music playlist at Pepperdine baseball games, plans on continuing his work with the athletic department for the rest of his college career.
Picciolo hopes to use this experience to find a PR-related job with either a professional sports team, an athletic apparel company or a sports agency.
“I grew up around sports, so I can see myself working with sports for the rest of my life,” he said.
09-07-2006
