Oct. 12, 2004

Go behind the scenes and learn how the Athletic Department staff prepares for the 2004 football season. Each week, Cardinal Commitment will feature a different member of the staff that will discus his/her role with the Stanford Football program. Melina Boyd (Football Administrative Associate) is this week's guest.

CC: What are you doing on a daily basis to prepare for the upcoming football game?

MB: I am the assistant to all the defensive coaches so I help them out with any office work they might have, like "Tip Sheets" for their players. I also handle all the staff requests for tickets. My job is to make sure that the family and friends of the coaches and staff are all set with seats for the games. It's one less thing the coaches have to worry about so they can prepare for our next opponent.

CC: What is your most important job on game day?

MB: Before each home game we have a BBQ for the families of our players. I take all the RSVPs beforehand, make nametags and help with check in. It's a really great atmosphere for all the families to get together.

CC: If you could tell the average fan one thing about Stanford Football that they may not know, what would that be?

MB: How hard our coaches, staff and players work. The hours and passion the coaches and staff put in to making this team better is tremendous.

CC: What is your most memorable Stanford Football experience?

MB: Probably the end of the second half of the USC game this year. I was on the field right next to the bench so the excitement coming from the players and coaches was absolutely electric.

CC: What is your Stanford Football goal? What do you want to achieve this season? What do you want the team to achieve this season?

MB: I really want this team to make a Bowl Game. Personally, I want to experience the work and organization that goes into a Bowl Game. For the team, I just hope that all the hard work they have put in translates to more wins and in turn, a win in the Bowl Game we go to.

CC: What does "Cardinal Commitment" mean to you?

MB: It means family and every single member of the family being on the same page.