Fans and students filling the stands on game day often only see the play on the field, but behind the scenes, Averett’s Sports Information team is working to make sure operations run smoothly.

For Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant Zoe Winnes, the journey into SID started early in her college career.

“I first got interested in SID as a freshman,” Winnes said. “I wanted to be more involved in athletics and get to see the behind-the-scenes side of it.”

Winnes and her colleagues typically arrive two to three hours before start time to prepare broadcasts, scoring tables and stat systems.

“Dominik, Tyler and I set up the broadcast, scoring areas and stats,” Winnes said. “Next, we communicate with FloSports to test internet speeds, livestream quality and audio. Once the game begins, each of us has a different role depending on the sport. Sometimes I’m keeping stats, taking pictures or just floating around making sure our work-study students are good.”

The fast pace has helped Winnes develop skills that she says will serve her well moving forward.

“Working in sports information, I’ve learned a lot about thriving in chaos,” she said. “Things are constantly happening, and it’s all about finding a way to make it flow.”

And while fans may assume staff members run the show, Winnes said students deserve much of the credit.

“It’s not us running the broadcast, it’s students,” Winnes said. “I’m really proud of my work-study kids for handling such a big task. Letting them take on production gives them a chance to be creative with camera angles, graphics and more.”

From live stats to livestreams, the SID team’s work is often unnoticed, but without it, Averett athletics would look very different.