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Many of the programs around the Minnesota College Athletic Conference are shifting into a slower gear for summer, taking a well deserved rest and re-charging the batteries for the upcoming fall sports season. During this lull in the action, the MCAC would like to take the opportunity to recognize some of the many dedicated professionals who contribute behind the scenes in the operations of one the largest NJCAA leagues in the country.
While athletes and coaches often are found in the spotlight on the courts and fields of intercollegiate athletics, dozens of professionals and student staff play important roles in support of those countless games, meets and tournaments. Without athletic trainers, managers and student-worker support, the experience of college sports fans and athletes alike would certainly be sub-standard.
At Mesabi Range College, a MCAC member with campuses in Eveleth and Virginia, Minnesota, Jesse Bennett is one of those dedicated individuals working hard behind the scenes for the Norsemen and Lady Norse at MRC. Late nights of accumulating stats, cross-checking box scores and drafting game summaries for weekly honors fill Bennett's calendar across all three MCAC sport seasons. For sports professionals like Bennett, there is no off-season once the school year starts.
The MCAC recently caught up with Bennett as he catches his breath from a busy 2016-17 sports year up on the Iron Range.
Tell us about your background and connection to athletics at Mesabi Range College: JB- "I started out as a student manager for the football, basketball and baseball teams. After earning my AA degree, I continued to work as the Statistician as well as calling game results to the Mesabi Daily Newspaper. Over the years, my responsibilities have grown, I continue to do in game stats but I also assist our Athletic Director with whatever she may need. During the summer I help Ryan Ostendorf run his summer Boy's High School Basketball League and JoJo Scott with Summer High School Volleyball League. I also help Tom Stackpool with his youth basketball camps."
What do you most enjoy about college athletics? JB- "The greatest enjoyment I have (in) college athletics is seeing the young men and women that come to Mesabi Range leave with their AA Degrees as well as seeing their growth and development as both people and athletes."
Who have been some important influences in your sports administration career? JB- "...my mom, grandma and grandpa are the most influential ... they instilled in me a strong work ethic as well as to be organized. They also taught me to treat people the way I would like to be treated. Also all of the coaches I have had, from being a high school student as well as my time here at Mesabi Range."
Do you have a particular team or memory that stands out in your time at Mesabi Range?
JB- "...there are teams that stand out; (such as) the 2014-15 Women's Basketball Team that went to Nationals, finishing in 4th place, (and) the 2006 Baseball team that won the MCCC State Championship... Also the 2013 softball team, as we only had nine players but that team went to the NJCAA Region 13B final! This was one year after a season that only produced 1 win." Bennett also noted the strong performances of 2005 MRC volleyball squad, as well as the men's basketball teams of '01-'02 and '03-'04, teams which captured state and region championships.
What does 2017-18 hold for Mesabi Range? Any predictions about how the season will go for any of your teams? JB- "I see 2017-18 for Mesabi Range as being a great year! We are returning a great bunch of young men and women as well as having a great group of newcomers. I believe that all of our teams will be highly competitive and reaching the post season is the goal."
Any superstitions? JB- "The only superstition I have is having a bottle of Coke before every game."
In that Bennett is primarily responsible for stats, sports information and related duties across one of the largest athletic departments in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, one can certainly understand how a little caffeine may be needed heading into another night of Mesabi Range sports action.
Thank you, Jesse Bennett, for your time in this feature and for the work you do on behalf of Mesabi Range College.
Story courtesy of MCAC Sports