There is no secret to senior libero Elyse Cusack’s success.
“She is determined, she is punctual, she is extremely thorough, she double checks everything to make sure it’s right, and she’s always asking if she can help out more.”
But this quote isn’t from coach Mary Wise. Instead it came from Cusack’s boss, Samantha Scales, the coordinator for baseball complex & operations.
The attributes that have made Cusack successful on the court have translated to an internship opportunity with the University Athletic Association’s Baseball Operations.
In her senior year, Cusack is not taking any classes in order to focus on the internship. Some of the things she works on include recruiting questionnaires, helping to schedule recruiting visits and writing the contracts that were sent out to next year’s visiting baseball teams.
Cusack takes her work seriously, especially because of the desire she has to become a coordinator of operations.
“We have a person, Kelley Kish, who is our director of operations, and I was able to see what she does for us from planning our team’s travel, traveling with us and working with our camps,” Cusack said. “I just thought it would be a fun job and a great way to stay in sports.”
She is not the only volleyball player working with the UAA, however.
Former UF opposite hitter Amber McCray works directly for Lynda Tealer, the senior associate athletic director for women’s sports.
Both interns believe their experience as athletes has helped them thrive in their positions.
“I knew that was a huge asset that I would use in my interview,” McCray said. “Being an athlete and knowing what an athlete goes through is just always a good asset to have on a support staff because you will have that perspective.”
While Cusack admitted it was weird to go from work to practice at first, she has gotten used to working for a team and playing for one at the same time.
As her time as a collegiate athlete is winding down, she hopes her career in sports is just getting started.
“Sports is something I’ve known my whole life, it’s something that I enjoy and I would love to have a career in sports later on,” she said.
GATORS LAND TWO TOP RECRUITS: The Gators may have found a replacement for their senior libero as they have received a letter of intent from libero Taylor Unroe.
Setter Chanel Brown has also decided to sign with Florida. Both players will be eligible to compete in 2010.
