USC’s student equipment managers do their work without much notice — but with plenty of appreciation
By Ben Malcolmson USCRipsIt PeteCarroll.com
Some of the most valuable cogs in the USC football machine don’t get their names in the paper.
They won’t show up in the statbook.
And there’s no way you’d even notice them — if it weren’t for those glowing yellow shirts.
They’re the USC football student equipment managers, 12 volunteer undergrads who toil away six days a week, up to six hours a day, to make sure the Trojan practices and equipment needs run smoothly and without any issues.
“They’re diligent and effective, always thorough,” director of equipment operations Dave Scott said. “They never complain. Whatever needs to get done, they’re always there.”
The main responsibility of the student equipment managers, nicknamed “jimokes,” is to coordinate USC’s practices, as they set up the field with all the necessary equipment prior to each workout and then assist coaches with various duties during practices, including retrieving footballs and arranging equipment during drills.
So they’re basically ball boys? That’d be the understatement — and insult — of the year.
“They’re the heart and soul of the operation. They’re the pulse, the heartbeat of what we do,” said football equipment coordinator Tino Dominguez, who also serves as the director of the student equipment manager outfit. “We couldn’t get anything done without these guys.”
“These guys” are Matt Burkhard, David “Flash” Toper, Eloy Ledesma, Adam Kossoff, Brent Cochran, Benji Silva, Daniel Mai, Joe Gibson, John Serrano, Eric Ziskin, Jon Porter and Brian Wagner. The student equipment managers — who also set up the locker room before games, polish helmets and handle odd-job equipment needs — are full-time students on top of this nearly full-time volunteer occupation.
“They could be doing a lot of other things, but here they are helping the team,” Dominguez said. “I have a great appreciation for what they do,” Scott said.
Just like the players, the student managers have to learn how to balance their time between schoolwork and football responsibilities. It’s been a learning experience, to say the least, says Burkhard, the head student manager.
“It’s taught me a lot — doing this on top of class is tough,” said Burkhard, a third-year manager who’s set to graduate in May. “It’s made me a stronger person. It’s been fun too, I’m going to miss it. It’s been a really good thing for me.”
As good as it is for the managers themselves, it might be even more beneficial for the Trojans.
“We’re very grateful for the work the managers do,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “Their work goes unnoticed most of the time, but it’s definitely appreciated.”
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
