WSU freshman from India gets first-hand experience of American football

Sneha Kataria was a bit overwhelmed at her first Cougar football game, but she had to pick up the rules quickly because she was on the clock.

Kataria, a freshman in the sports management program, got her first job this fall manning the timeout and commercial break clock for media broadcast at Washington State University Cougar football games. Associate Professor Tammy Crawford linked Kataria-who is originally from India-with the job at the beginning of the semester and guided her through the game field side as Crawford communicated with TV broadcast producers. Kataria signals the remaining time for commercials or timeouts via the "victory clock" which sits atop a heavy pole with large red numbers indicating the countdown to the end of each break. At a recent home game, Kataria slowly twirled the clock so all the various cameras and media personnel positioned around Martin Stadium could see the countdown to game stoppage.

Kataria said trying to grasp the game's rules was intimidating, particularly since she had to pick it up on her first day on the job. She had never seen an American football game until her first day of work and gradually figured out how to manage her tasks and learn the rules.

"It's a very indulging game, it's really good," she said. "When I go on the field, every time it's interesting."

Kataria is an athlete in her own right, practicing archery since she was in 7^th grade. She competed across India in archery, but the crowds at those competitions were far different from American football stadiums.

"The only thing you hear is 'last shot' in archery," she said. "Standing in the middle of the (football) stadium and hearing both sides is like a new and good experience."

Working on the field offers Kataria a unique resume builder for a future career in the sports realm and a broader perspective of sports that are popular in other countries. A viewpoint she likely wouldn't have gotten had she not chosen to attend WSU.

Crawford said sports management students are required by the curriculum to get practical experiences in athletics.

"She has been a fast learner," Crawford said. "I think one of the more challenging things for Sneha will be the change in the weather. Working outside for a fall sporting event is something students are not always prepared for."

Kataria said she chose WSU due to its sports management program and the overall athletics program. As an international student, she doesn't have the luxury of traveling home with ease, so she is trying to prepare for the oncoming winter, another new experience. She's provided a PAC-12 parka for when the snow hits, but so far, the fall games have been pleasant. Kataria said the most difficult part is strength training to hold up the 50-pound clock for a full game. She said she exercises regularly to maintain stamina to keep time. The hours in the gym, as on the field at her job, are time well spent.