High-quality games and a family environment are expected at Lindenwood sporting events, thanks to student athletes and the work of the event management team.

Director of Event Management Mike Morgan said that preparation begins days before the actual event.

“We have a staff of 20 student workers that we use to work the events,” he said. “We then contact the opposing team to coordinate when they will arrive on game days, and we give them information about the university and the city. Then we have to make scripts and timelines for the actual events as well as promoting each of the events.”

Event Management Coordinators Drew Hill and Bailey Chiles said they love setting up the sport that happens to be the most difficult setup.

“The most fun and challenging setup is gymnastics,” Hill said. “We actually put together the gymnastics floor and equipment in Hyland Arena. It’s incredible to see it built from scratch.”

The setup is also a team-building experience, they said.

“Gymnastics is the most fun because other teams come help, and we make it a big party,” Chiles said. “There is so much to do. We have to tarp the entire gym floor and then unload a truck full of heavy gymnastics equipment and put each the vault, bars, beam and floor all together.”

Challenges are not uncommon while setting up an event.

“Sometimes two or three events going on the same day at the same time,” Morgan said. “Then with so many athletic teams on campus, sometimes we can’t start setting up until just a few hours before the game.”

Having enough workers is another challenge they face, he said.

“With numerous events going on at the same time, having enough people to work each event is an obstacle,” he said. “We overcome those problems with every person in my office sometimes having to do all types. We also rely on having volunteers help us out at games.”

Morgan manages all NCAA athletic events, ticket sales, group sales, marketing of events and promotions.

“The other event coordinators and I spend a lot of time together brainstorming the games and activities we do during games,” Hill said. “The game graphics you see on the TVs in Hyland and the SAC are something we spend a lot of time working on. We also come up with the giveaways that take place during the year.”