inside.hokiesports.com 29 MANAGER, VIDEO & TRAINERS Jay Reid – ’05 (jay.evan.reid@gmail.com) is the Monogram Club Director for alumni who earned their monograms as videographers, trainers, and managers for Virginia Tech Athletics. Jay recently had a Q&A session with Stephen Hale–’09 & ’10 (BS, Psychology and Sociology; MS, Education and Sports Performance). Stephen was an equipment manager for the VT football program and carried on with this as a career; he is currently an Assistant Equipment Manager for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams for the past 3 years. Q: Tell Hokie Nation on how you got involved support equipment and working for the football team during your time in Blacksburg? Stephen Hale (SH): My father is a high school football coach in South Jersey, and I was always around the game growing up. I loved the game from an early age but knew my athletic career probably wasn’t going to extend past high school football. My dad coached Doug Easlick – ’03 and one spring we took a trip to Blacksburg to see Doug. Doug mentioned to me that if he wasn’t playing and he wanted to stay supporting football in some way, that the equipment staff and their operation was a cool connection to the game. As a teenager this officially launched my passion for this area of work, but also showed me a possible career path after VT. Q: For those who don’t know about the role, explain what the responsibilities are of Equipment Manager and what were the highlights of year career at Tech? (SH): Like a lot of student athletes, my time at Tech was filled with amazing opportunities and exposure to supporting of supporting football and the athletic department. If I wasn’t in class, I was living at Merryman helping and being around for any possible task or help. I always did a ton of laundry and black sharpies were always affixed to my hands as we were constantly responsible for tagging all gear. Those roles evolved over time as I got older and grew into supporting all elements of practice periods, game day support and becoming Coach Foster’s defensive assistant. Q: What was your favorite memory supporting football? (SH): To capture the complete experience at VT—last game in 2009 at Lane vs UVA was a special one. Hearing your name announced in front of 65,000 on senior day there’s really nothing quite like it. Q: Since Graduating from VT, you’ve had career opportunities to work with other college programs (Illinois and Rutgers) and NFL teams including the last 3 years at the LA Rams. What are some areas of the work that has evolved since working at VT? (SH): A big focus I’ve worked on is player product development side of supporting athletes. I look at products on how it best can help an athlete achieve maximum performance and while working with partners, such as Nike, to ensure that there is a roadmap for the future for change and improvement. It’s one of the unique aspects of my line of work and one that makes our role even more impactful. Q: Any advice you’d share to those who may be interested in athletics in the future? (SH): It’s something I get asked often and its simple response of ‘make yourself memorable and leave your mark’. It’s not always easy to stand out amongst a sea of others who may want to work in a similar capacity so being memorable goes a long way. Also, people are such an asset and networking both with peers in and outside of your industry has such value to your career. Woody Hayes has a famous quote of ‘you win with people,’ and that’s been something I’ve made a priority in my career and life. Stephen Hale – ’09 Assistant Equipment Manager for Los Angeles Rams. 1290 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 • 540-382-7500 • www.gandhappliance.com Find us at G&H Appliance G&H bringing you the best sauce and rub vendors on the market! Get yours today!! BEST SELECTION! BEST PRICE!! IT’S TIME TO FIRE UP THE GRILLS!!
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