Amateur Update: A rare holiday weekend for Commission staff
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
By Ed Hruska Ed Hruska
Upcoming events
Sept 7-8: RCTC Volleyball Invitational
Oct. 13-14: MYSA fall state soccer tournament
Oct 19-20: Exchange Volleyball Tournament
As the manager of a staff that is involved with almost 60 sporting events each year, I find that balancing staff coverage on weekends is critical.
Almost all amateur tournaments are held on weekends and while it comes with the job, working weekends can be taxing on staff's personal lives. Add to that there are more events now taking advantage of the three-day weekend holidays, which also takes away from fun weekend times.
At the Sports Commission we divide up the upcoming year's events so we have a clear understanding on who works which dates. We also have a comp time program that allows time off the following week to help employees "catch up" from the weekend they missed. These steps allow staff members to have a clear understanding of what is expected and find a balance while working weekends.
Labor Day is traditionally a big weekend for slow-pitch softball. It is a great time of the year to wrap up the summer softball season by competing at nationals. Past years have seen Rochester serve as host of several men's Northern Nationals over the Labor Day weekend. Numbers are usually strong, creating brackets that have games starting early each day and running late into the night – all three days.
This is our profession and we proudly accept it. However, when the entire staff works long hours throughout a holiday weekend such as over the Fourth of July weekend when we've hosted the AAU Division I Girls Basketball Championship, getting a few days off the following week cannot make up for the family fun at the cabin or lake that was missed. We simply understand it comes with the business.
In 2013 we will again host the ASA Men's Class C Northern National Softball Championships over the long Labor Day weekend. Staff will be prepared and step up to put on a great experience for all those involved. Holiday social weekend long outings will have to be missed.
However, this 2012 Labor Day weekend saw other cities hosting these prestigious events. Our staff enjoyed the long summer-ending weekend like many people. Not only by having the weekend off but by having the flexibility to take a few days off leading up to the three-day weekend — again, something tough to do when preparing for a large tournament.
I understand the value of a strong team of employees and value them very much. They are special, knowing their jobs and preforming like superstars numerous weekends. They are very dedicated and passionate about our business.
So as we celebrate Labor Day and the three-day weekend, hats off to the RASC staff who give up their weekends to help entertain our visitors and further the economic impact our city will enjoy. They truly have earned, and deserve, a fun and relaxing three-day Labor Day weekend!
Amateur Update is a weekly column on amateur sports activities in southeastern Minnesota, provided by the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission.
