SASKATOON - Ryley Cozart with the University of Saskatchewan hosted Dominic Sieben and me for a job shadow on Jan. 10. We had a short meeting with Cozart first, learning about his role as a marketing and partnership specialist, what our day would look like and just getting to know each other. We toured the College of Kinesiology Physical Activity Complex, otherwise known as the PAC. We then met with the Associate Athletics Officer, Development and Marketing, Michael Jenkins, who talked to us about his job, encouraging us to go out and volunteer. We talked about the two different teams in Saskatoon, the Huskies and the Blades, and who they market to within the area.
Our next meeting was with Shannon Chinn, who is the chief athletics officer at the university. Chinn talked to us about her career path, working with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Ottawa Senators, Carleton University and TSN and how it ultimately led her to work for the U of S. Elliot Gabler, the recently hired sports information coordinator, took some time to meet with us, sharing some insight about his position within the department. He oversees the creation of content for the team’s website and social media accounts.
Events Manager Samantha Erhardt showed us the plans for that night’s men’s basketball game against the Mount Royal University Cougars. Erhardt, who oversees all the sporting events, has a staff of students who work with her when multiple events are happening. The final meeting of the day was with former CTV news reporter Caitrin Hodson, who is now the marketing and communications specialist for the Huskies. Cozart then took Sieben and me to Merlis Belsher Place for a tour, showing us around the rink.
At 6 p.m., we received tickets to the U of S women’s hockey game against the University of Regina in the U Prairie Challenge. These tickets were a gift to Sieben and me as we were the first job shadow students they have hosted. The Huskies ended the first period up 2-0, with Shelby Williamson and Bronwyn Boucher scoring goals, Boucher’s on the powerplay. The second period ended with exchanged goals as Avery Gottselig scored her first goal of the season for the Huskies and Megan Long scored on the powerplay for the Cougars. The third period ended scoreless for a Huskies 3-1 win over their rival Cougars. Goaltender Colby Wilson ended the game stopping 31 of 32 shots.
The University of Saskatchewan made this an unforgettable experience for Sieben and me, and it was full of valuable lessons for not only students, but everyone.
