As a sports fan, I have always had a certain perception of Sports Information Directors. In my simple mind, I saw them as just writing and sending out press releases, handling interview request, and helping the coaches and players with media and fan communication.

But last weekend, I was fortunate to spend 3 days working in close proximity of Louisville Sports Information Director Lori Korte Harmon, and I have a whole new appreciation for their duties – in particular on game day and during the event.

Lori told me she typically gets to the game at least two hours prior to game time to make everything is set up and ready to go. On Saturday, she discovered that the press box printer wasn’t working, so it was a quick trip to the field hockey venue to grab an emergency printer.

But it was her multi-tasking during the games that had me shaking my head in wonder.

During each game she was doing the following:

** Calling out the play-by-play description (“grounder to 6, throw to 3 for the out”)
** Inputting that information, including every pitch, into the stat tracker system
** Giving the video team heads up on highlight plays to record (the actual game is about a minute ahead of the broadcast)
** Coaching the interns on what to write on the twitter account and letting them know when there is video coming that they can use in the tweets
** Constantly feeding the ACC Network team information since they’re not on sight (for example, who was warming up in the bull pen)
**Making hit/error determinations – often waiting for the video replay to get another look to make sure she makes the right decision
**Calling out runs, hits, errors, and left on base to the PA announcer at the end of each inning.
** Handling any issues that might arise
** And doing it all with a friendly smile

Lori has been doing this since Louisville started softball in 2000 so she has it down to a science, but she was still very, very impressive.

And in between all that, she was constantly asking the old guy from Techsideline if he needed anything, and was actually allowing him to voice his unsolicited opinion on hit/errors.

She was absolutely amazing and completely changed my perception on Louisville athletics.

And she apparently has always been this way. @VTSportscaster worked with her at a couple of Knoxville regionals and posted Saturday that “she’s first class all they way. I always enjoyed her trips down here and she is just a wonderful person.”

I would absolutely agree.

Thank you, Ms. Lori for your awesome hospitality. Hope to see you at the ACC tournament.




[Post edited by VTChip at 04/01/2021 11:01AM]