Oxford Regional equals long work days
by Chris Kieffer, Daily Mississippian Senior Staff Writer
Ole Miss Associate Media Relations Director Rick Stupak knows a thing or two about long hours. Whether he's researching records that former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning broke or typing the Rebel baseball team's individual batting averages in day games into the media notes, Stupak, whose main responsibility is the Ole Miss baseball team, has pulled late-nighters on tons of occasions.
Ole Miss Associate Media Relations Director Rick Stupak knows a thing or two about long hours. Whether he's researching records that former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning broke or typing the Rebel baseball team's individual batting averages in day games into the media notes, Stupak, whose main responsibility is the Ole Miss baseball team, has pulled late-nighters on tons of occasions.
Yet things got even crazier this past Sunday. That's when Stupak learned that the Ole Miss baseball team was hosting its first ever NCAA Regional this weekend. By Stupak's calculation, he's been home about 13 hours since.
Yet things got even crazier this past Sunday. That's when Stupak learned that the Ole Miss baseball team was hosting its first ever NCAA Regional this weekend. By Stupak's calculation, he's been home about 13 hours since.
"This has probably been the busiest week I've had since I've been at Ole Miss," said Stupak, who is in his seventh year in Oxford.
"This has probably been the busiest week I've had since I've been at Ole Miss," said Stupak, who is in his seventh year in Oxford.
"I found out we were hosting Sunday about 2:30 p.m. As soon as that came on the screen, it seemed like my phone started ringing. My cell phone would ring, and I'd be talking to somebody, and my home phone would ring."
"I found out we were hosting Sunday about 2:30 p.m. As soon as that came on the screen, it seemed like my phone started ringing. My cell phone would ring, and I'd be talking to somebody, and my home phone would ring."
Stupak tried to call Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco, but found Bianco was also tied up by an onslaught of phone calls. Hosting a regional takes a lot of stress off of the players. It just makes for a lot more work for everyone else involved.
Stupak tried to call Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco, but found Bianco was also tied up by an onslaught of phone calls. Hosting a regional takes a lot of stress off of the players. It just makes for a lot more work for everyone else involved.
"For the coaches, being at home is probably a little more difficult in the sense that there are a lot of other things to do, especially in your first time hosting," Bianco said. "I think one of the things that I laugh with Rick (Stupak) with is administratively it's a bear.
"For the coaches, being at home is probably a little more difficult in the sense that there are a lot of other things to do, especially in your first time hosting," Bianco said. "I think one of the things that I laugh with Rick (Stupak) with is administratively it's a bear.
"You're going through everything for the first time from ticket people to marketing and game management. People have really stepped up in the Ole Miss Athletic Department. It's a tough week administratively."
"You're going through everything for the first time from ticket people to marketing and game management. People have really stepped up in the Ole Miss Athletic Department. It's a tough week administratively."
Brian Russell is the tournament coordinator. He's said he's been in staff meetings preparing for the regional for more than a month. Russell said several things needed to be done in preparation for the regional. Temporary fences had to be set up, banners had to be placed and temporary bleachers for visiting players had to be moved in. Also, a media workroom was created, the internet capabilities of the press box were expanded and the stadium-side shoulder of Old Taylor Road was blocked off to allow access for team busses and satellite trucks.
Brian Russell is the tournament coordinator. He's said he's been in staff meetings preparing for the regional for more than a month. Russell said several things needed to be done in preparation for the regional. Temporary fences had to be set up, banners had to be placed and temporary bleachers for visiting players had to be moved in. Also, a media workroom was created, the internet capabilities of the press box were expanded and the stadium-side shoulder of Old Taylor Road was blocked off to allow access for team busses and satellite trucks.
Russell has had several phone calls with tournament administrator Lynette Johnson, who has been out of town until Thursday morning. Russell said he's been so busy this week, he hasn't even begun to think about what he'll have to do this weekend. Yet he's enjoyed the experience and doesn't mind that he had to forfeit his Memorial Day holiday.
Russell has had several phone calls with tournament administrator Lynette Johnson, who has been out of town until Thursday morning. Russell said he's been so busy this week, he hasn't even begun to think about what he'll have to do this weekend. Yet he's enjoyed the experience and doesn't mind that he had to forfeit his Memorial Day holiday.
"When I found out (we were hosting), there was some excitement, then I realized I had to go work on a holiday," Russell said. "It was a good reason to work on a holiday."
"When I found out (we were hosting), there was some excitement, then I realized I had to go work on a holiday," Russell said. "It was a good reason to work on a holiday."
Stupak said such is the price of excellence.
Stupak said such is the price of excellence.
"Ever since he's been here, coach (Bianco) and I have talked at length about hosting," Stupak said. "The goal is to get to the College World Series and the best way to do it is playing on your home field. Hosting a regional is not work-wise supposed to be a barrel of fun. But it is the best way to get to Omaha (for the College World Series)."
"Ever since he's been here, coach (Bianco) and I have talked at length about hosting," Stupak said. "The goal is to get to the College World Series and the best way to do it is playing on your home field. Hosting a regional is not work-wise supposed to be a barrel of fun. But it is the best way to get to Omaha (for the College World Series)."
Stupak said that Friday will make all of the work worthwhile.
Stupak said that Friday will make all of the work worthwhile.
"I've enjoyed excitement of it," Stupak said. "Just the build up and anticipation for that first pitch at 3 between Tulane and Washington. To think that this is an NCAA event. The road to Omaha is going to go through Oxford. There are times when you get tired and you don't want to be down here doing it, but there is thought of that first event."
"I've enjoyed excitement of it," Stupak said. "Just the build up and anticipation for that first pitch at 3 between Tulane and Washington. To think that this is an NCAA event. The road to Omaha is going to go through Oxford. There are times when you get tired and you don't want to be down here doing it, but there is thought of that first event."