Nov. 10, 2006
Probably almost every sports fan has heard a commentator utter these or similar words about a versatile athlete: "he does everything except sell popcorn."
For senior defensive back Sharriff Abdullah, those words are less hyperbole than just about any other player you can think of. You see, Abdullah practically lives at Memorial Stadium, even more than any of his teammates, and his efforts this fall, do involve popcorn. A fifth-year senior, he has already finished the classroom requirments for his bachelor's degree in sports management and has gone through graduation. This semester, he's fulfilling his internship requirement by working with Terry Conlon and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics' (DIA) concession staff.
"I'm probably at the Stadium about 12 hours a day," Abdullah said. "On certain days I'll get my lifting in early in the morning, then report to Concessions and work until it's time for meetings and practice."
"We have had other student-athletes work with us as interns," said Conlon. "Sharriff's situation is a little more difficult, since it's during his playing season. He isn't able to see much of our operation with the other sports because of his schedule, but he's already been able to learn quite a bit from this experience."
"I haven't been able to work a (football) game day, because I'm kind of busy on Saturdays," Abdullah understated.
One of the bonuses of working in Concessions is that Abdullah has a sympathetic ear to listen to him when he needs to talk. Rameel Connor, who played defensive line for the Fighting Illini during the late 1990's, is Conlon's assistant manager.
"He knows what I'm going through as a football player. We talk a lot, and he's very understanding," said Abdullah.
So what sorts of things does the Detroit native do through this internship?
"A little of everything, really," he said.
By "everything," Abdullah refers to a weekly routine that includes helping to manage inventory, track and promote sales and order supplies and food procuts. He has also been involved in weekly DIA event management meetings, which have been eye-opening.
"I've learned a lot about what it takes to put on a major athletic event such as our football games," he said. "Most of my teammates probably don't have a clue what goes on behind the scenes, for example, with ticketing, security, promotions, concessions, and the other areas. It takes a lot of organization. I've also learned how the way the team's season goes, and the weather affect attendance and sales of the various food and drink items. I really want to thank Terry for making it possible to have this internship."
Abdullah is no stranger to organization. As a student-athlete, he's had to learn plenty, for example, about time management. He's been able to apply some of those principles to his work with employee schedules and product inventory.
"One of the projects Sharriff has worked on has been to improve the organization of our employee schedules," Conlon said. "He's done a good job with that."
"Our students in internships are required to turn in 12 assignments throughout the semester, including three major reports. We want to make sure they achieve their objectives and goals through these experiences. Sharriff has gone above and beyond what has been expected of him," said Ryan Gower, who is his academic advisor for the internship. "He saw a need and then put together quite an inventory control system for Terry Conlon."
Abdullah's regular internship-associated activities range from cleanup to ordering, inventorying and stocking such items as hamburger buns and drinks to assisting with employee scheduling.
Abdullah says that, through the week during the football season, there are typically seven or eight concession staff members on duty, handling cleanup, inventory and ordering early in the week, taking in deliveries in the middle of the week, and organizing and stocking toward the end of the week. The on-duty staff swells to around 30 on game day, but that, of course, does not include the hundreds of workers with various area non-profit organizations which work the concession stands at the football games.
"If I weren't on the field, I'd probably be helping to make sure all of the stands stay stocked with products and supplies," Abdullah said.
Speaking of "on the field," this Saturday will be Abdullah's last home game as a player.
"I've had a great experience here for the last five years," he said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything. I was just talking with E.B. Halsey the other day and I said, 'I've met so many great people here, and I made friendships that will last a lifetime.'
"I came here not really knowing what to expect, but guys like Christian Morton, Eugene Wilson, Derrick Strong, Charles Gilstrap and Jemari Perry helped me out. Now I'm doing the same for the new guys we have this year. They joke around a lot, but they do listen to us older guys. I keep telling them how talented they are and how far they can take the program. But I also tell them to cherish the time they have here. It goes so fast. Before they know it, they'll be finishing their careers here."
Abdullah will be part of Senior Day festivities Saturday, with his mother in attendance.
"I don't think it's sad, necessarily," he said. "It was a big change to come here after high school. Now I'm looking forward to a new part of my life."
