With the days of patrolling the Worthen Arena paint in her past, former women's basketball player Lisa Rusche wasn't willing to leave the Ball State athletics department just yet.
Rusche, who has helped design media guides and posters for the athletics department during the past year and a half, will work as a graduate assistant in the Cardinals' athletics communication office. She will serve as the sports information director for softball and field hockey and also assist the communications staff with home games, such as football, men's basketball and women's basketball. Rusche will begin in the middle of August, and she will also take graduate classes for sports administration.
"It's nice because now I can further my education by taking my master's (courses)," Rusche said. "It also gives me a chance to stay close to Ball State sports. I can experience it more from a staff and a fan perspective."
Rusche, who is currently working as an intern for CS Kern Inc. in Muncie, is one of several former and current student athletes helping in the athletics department. The short list includes former men's basketball player Peyton Stovall - currently working with the athletics marketing department - and women's basketball senior Dana Moorman, who is doing an internship with the department.
"It's always good for us to hire an alum, especially in athletics if we can hire a former student athlete," associate athletics director Joe Hernandez said. "It's nice to give them something back for what they have done for us."
Even though Rusche will be working as an SID, Hernandez said her primary responsibility will be designing publications the athletics office produces. Rusche, whose major at Ball State was journalism graphics, worked the past two summers designing media guides and brochures for the athletics department.
"Pretty much anything that has been designed and released from our office during the past couple summers, she has had a hand in," Hernandez said.
There is currently no full-time staff position for graphic designers in the Cardinals' athletics department. Hernandez, who will serve as Rusche's supervisor, said he believes that could change.
"Ultimately I think we need a full-time graphic designer," Hernandez said. "This is perhaps the first step to do that."
Rusche said it's too early to accurately decide her career path, but said she is excited for what the future might hold.
"I'm still really open to anything," Rusche said. "Since I do have a graphic background, I do want to stay open to that path. But I definitely think there's a lot of things I've been missing out on that I'll experience as an SID."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
