It is impossible to miss the on-site volunteers working at every Owatonna High School activity. These volunteers, or Site Managers, take time out of their day to serve the youth of OHS. The Site Managers are responsible for setting up events, crowd control, greeting opposing teams and being a resource for schools competing. OHS plays host to games, meets and competitions year round. This creates an ongoing demand for Site Directors. However, the supportive Owatonna community produces volunteers that allow each event to run properly.
Mr. Travis Ahrens is one of the Site Managers who makes our events possible. He has been working in this role for nine years. He works primarily at football and girls basketball games, but helps out with other activities as needed. As a Site Manager, he oversees the games, handles ticket sales, checks in the visiting teams, works with the game officials and ensures an environment of good sportsmanship is maintained.
When Mr. Ahrens’ kids were younger, he brought them to events and figured he might as well help out while he was there. As his kids grew up, it has allowed Mr. Ahrens to stay “more involved with high school activities.” Over his tenure as Site Manager, Mr. Ahrens has experienced a fair share of interesting interactions. His most memorable moment in this role was answering a request from a game official to kick out a spectator at a Girls Basketball game. The parent ended up being the father of the opposing team’s coach.
Ms. Sandra Boss is another invaluable volunteer for OHS Activities. She has been in the district since 1969. She was originally hired as a Physical Education teacher and first Girls Gymnastics coach. Since Ms. Boss has been in the district, she has played a key role in advocating for girls sports in Owatonna. This has included fighting for the creation of sports opportunities for girls at OHS. When Ms. Boss was in high school, she did not have the opportunity to compete in sports. This has made her passionate about giving others the chance.
Ms. Boss said, “It has just been great to watch all of the girls have the opportunity to compete – and the boys too – in things other than football, basketball and baseball.” Football, basketball and baseball were the three sports Owatonna offered when Ms. Boss came to the district.
As for her experience as a Site Manager, Ms. Boss has worked at gymnastics competitions and track meets. Her main roles for gymnastics include dragging equipment (mats, beams, etc.) to their positions and making sure the gym space is ready. For track meets, her main roles are getting score cards to judges, setting up equipment and doing anything else she can to make the event run smoothly. She has enjoyed working with a number of coaches, officials and athletes over the years at OHS. It has made it impossible for Ms. Boss to stop.
Ms. Boss explained, “You know, I just can’t give it up. I’m an old lady. I should be sitting at home, but I just can’t give it up.”
Mr. Tony Schwichtenberg is another Site Manager for lacrosse, soccer and cross country. He is also the Hockey Announcer for boys and girls and Play Clock Operator for football games. He has been in these roles for 11 years. He began as the Hockey Announcer, but was soon thereafter asked if he would be willing to help out with the Spring lacrosse season. In Mr. Schwichtenberg’s words, “One thing led to another” and now he helps out year round.
A lot of Mr. Schwichtenberg’s job is preparing the field or playing surface. This role varies from sport to sport. His other pregame duties include welcoming the opposing teams and signing in officials or other game workers. Once the game begins, he is in charge in the event of a medical emergency or unsportsmanlike crowd behavior.
As a sports enthusiast, Mr. Schwichtenberg enjoys watching competitive games. His fondest memories include watching overtime or other intense games. After all of this time, Mr. Schwichtenberg still loves watching high school sports.
Mr. Schwichtenberg said, “I just love doing it. I love being around the energy of the youth. It is a fun job…I love watching and being involved in high school sports.” This love for the job makes the high time commitment worth it.
Mr. Schwichtenberg’s advice for community members is to get involved. He said, “For anyone who wants to be involved, there are so many ways to do so. You don’t have to be a referee or coach or even player to be involved in sports.”
Mr. Marc Achterkirch, Activities Director of OHS, owes a big thank you to the Site Managers that allow events to run smoothly.
Overall, the community members of OHS who help out with sports year round allow sports events to happen. They devote time and effort due to their love of watching students compete and desire to be involved in the process. Their tasks vary, but overall take care of the behind the scenes work that needs to be done for events to occur.
