Broadcaster Press 03 March 27, 2012 www.broadcasteronline.com Bandy provides oversight for Coyote athletics at university Spotlight On By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net James Bandy has gone from one side of the fence to the other. He began his role as associate athletic director for internal operations at USD in January 2011 after serving eight years as the assistant director of academic and membership affairs for the NCAA in Indianapolis, IN. “Ironically, when I was at the NCAA national office, I was on the athletic certification team, and South Dakota was one of five schools I was assigned to work with, and I ended up working with the school about six months and ended up getting this job here,” he said. “I went from working with athletic certification on the NCAA side of the fence to working on the South Dakota side of the fence, so I had a lot of insight into how to maybe direct some things (when USD transitioned to Division I). “It was rewarding to be able to step in and assist the university in that respect,” he said. A native of Atlanta, GA, Bandy is a 1988 graduate of Georgia State University and earned his master’s in athletic administration in Nebraska in 1993. There are two main roles he fills, he said. The first is administrative oversight for sports that include women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, softball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. “I’m involved in coaches’ performance evaluations, budgets, maintenance of fields and courts – anything that goes on with those sports,” Bandy said. His second role is oversight in the area of game management. “Whether it’s for football, soccer, basketball, volleyball or whatever it is,” he said. “So, anytime somebody comes to a volleyball game, for example, part of my responsibility is to make sure officials are there and working with our sports information staff and our coaches and visiting teams to make sure practice times are available and things like that.” Bandy said that as it’s a smaller school, USD’s employees often have to fill more responsibilities, from the administrators to the staff workers. “We do a really good job with that, and what makes my job easier is I can rely on those other staff members to come through and do their job,” he said. “I don’t have to worry if something’s going to get done. I know it’s a cliché, but we’re all in the same boat and we all have to paddle in the same direction or we’re not going to get where we need to go. “To me, that’s not just on the big-ticket items, but on the smaller items, as well,” he said. “We’ve got some really good people here who really do put in a lot of time.” When he’s not working, Bandy enjoys spending time with his wife Kate, and what he refers to as “my two JAMES BANDY primary hobbies,” his son Parker, 12, and daughter Sophie, 5. Bandy expressed his gratitude to everyone in the athletics department for keeping everything running smoothly. “Most people look at athletics, and their perception is what they see on Saturday afternoon,” he said. “They show up to the DakotaDome for a football game … but they have no concept and therefore no appreciation for all of the work that we put in prior to it, and all of the staff who are involved in doing the behind-the-scenes things to allow that fan to come in and sit down and watch the game.” Benefit planned for Vermillion resident, artist Sarah Hanson On Saturday March 31, from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be a benefit for Vermillion resident Sarah Hanson at the Washington Street Arts Center located at 202 Washington, Vermillion. All proceeds will go towards paying Sarah's medical bills, which have accumulated over the past year due to several chronic illnesses. Sarah’s illness started one week before major kidney surgery in November of 2010. 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The benefit will have original works of art and special music performances 2-Day All International Harvester Toy & Advertising AUCTION th Friday, March 30 , 3:00 p.m. & Saturday, March 31st, 10:00 a.m. Located: Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda, SD Friday’s Auction: All IH Signs, Literature, Memorabilia & More. Exceptionally rare pieces including Paperweights, Cookie Cutter, Stoneware Crocks, Posters, Signs, Hats & more. Saturday’s Auction: All Toys! Super collection of original Arcade Cast Iron, Old-mint-in-the Box 460 & 560; and a never seen before original SCOUT pedal car! Lots of good, clean modern IH & CaseIH Toys too. up for silent auction or raffle. Some of the artists and musicians who are donating include Mike Hill, John Banasiak, Michael Hook, Chris Meyer, Arian Sheets, Elaine Peacock, as well as several USD students. Other items that will be in the auction include packages from local businesses. The benefit is free to enter and will feature live music from Eli Show. 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