Want to be part of gameday with the Badgers?
August 20, 2021 | General News, Andy Baggot
Behind the scenes, UW’s concessions, food and beverage staff love the fun and camaraderie of unique jobs. And you can join the team now.
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
She's a concessions supervisor for Wisconsin Athletics whose personal job description on Badgers game days is vague, but succinct.
"Everything and anything," she said with a laugh.
One moment VanderSaden will be checking volunteer-run concession stands along the west side of Camp Randall Stadium, making sure they're stocked with clean utensils and other supplies. The next she'll be in the kitchen on the east side of the 104-year-old, 80,321-seat facility, helping to prepare the food to be sold to spectators throughout the game. The next instant VanderSaden will be hustling to assist one of her 30 assigned non-profit service groups as a technical matter is addressed.
"I say 'Yes' to a lot of things," she said.
When the game is over and her personal checklist is complete, VanderSaden has been known to get back to her Oregon, Wisconsin home, check her pedometer and see that she's taken 22,000 steps. That works out to 11.42 miles.
It's one of two jobs that VanderSaden loves. When the weekend is done, the single mother of two UW graduates will resume being an office administrator at Edward Jones Investments.
"I always say my second job is my fun job, which it is because you're in the thick of all the sporting activities," she said.
"I'm there because of the fans and the excitement of sports. I get to work at a Big Ten (Conference) stadium. Not many people can say that. The ambience being there for game days for football is awesome. You're in it. You're there. How can it be hard when you get to watch the fans, hear the band and get into the excitement of the game?"
VanderSaden works for UW Athletics from the start of football season in August to spring commencement in May. She goes wherever the games take her, from Camp Randall, the Field House and the Kohl Center to Goodman Diamond, LaBahn Arena and the McClimon Track and Soccer Complex.
Join our team! Immediate openings now available
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) July 14, 2021
Levy is hiring now for food & beverage positions at Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center. Learn more: https://t.co/CPhp79J5KI pic.twitter.com/kGMFRbywwA
A year after COVID-19 issues cancelled or disrupted competition at all those sites, VanderSaden and Co. are preparing for a resumption of seasons starting Saturday at 9 a.m. when fans can watch football practice at Camp Randall and then take in the annual Red-White volleyball scrimmage at the adjacent UW Field House.
Both are free events, but digital tickets are required. Concessions will be available at both events, which also include a post-practice presentation by UW director of athletics Chris McIntosh and football head coach Paul Chryst as well as a banner-raising ceremony for the 2020 Big Ten volleyball title.
Those events give way to the football season-opener Sept. 4 when the 12th-ranked Badgers host 19th-rated Penn State in a Big Ten duel. Between now and then, UW concessions operatives could really use some help.
Joe Carney is the director of operations for Levy, the food service provider for Wisconsin Athletics. He has a lengthy list of job openings for cooks, dishwashers and supervisors in the premium, concessions and culinary departments that can be found at http://go.wisc.edu/levyjobs. In addition, there are opportunities for not-for-profit organizations to support Badgers game days and share in the profits by manning the 40 concession stands at Camp Randall and the 20 located inside the Kohl Center. Interested parties should contact Trevor Lipp at tlipp@levyrestaurants.com or 608-263-5056. More information is available at http://go.wisc.edu/workforbadgers.
One prime area of need, according to Carney, is in the kitchen where there are 10 full-time openings for cooks. That's where Stephanie Lockwood helps run the show as culinary supervisor. Her help-wanted pitch is pretty compelling.
"You aren't just a spectator anymore," the Madison resident said. "Working here makes you feel like you are part of something bigger and exciting, helping college athletes make their dreams come true. I'm very prideful coming from Wisconsin. I feel like I'm a teammate to all the Wisconsin Badger athletes and, personally, that's pretty cool."
Lockwood worked for UW Athletics for six years before the department outsourced the food service operation to Levy. In addition to game-day prep, she helps put together daily training table meals for student-athletes as well as special events.
"Working here allows you to be creative and mobile, working in many locations while keeping you on your toes," she said. "It's never boring. Everyone is friendly and fun. It can be challenging at times, but we pride ourselves on ambition and there are plenty of opportunities to move up in this company. We love to see all of our teammates succeed.
"You get to meet plenty of new people and, honestly, if you love food, cooking and sports — or art and creating — and getting paid to do it for the best state ever, in my opinion there's nothing better."
VanderSaden has worked as a UW concession supervisor since she applied for the job in 2009.
"Being a single mom putting kids through school, I thought, "Could I get a second job to help things out?'" she said.
What are her qualifications?
"Great customer service skills, organized and the ability to want to walk," VanderSaden said with another laugh.
For an 11 a.m. game like the season-opener, VanderSaden said she will begin her duties three days beforehand making sure the concession stands are supplied properly. On game-day morning — she's typically up at 5:30 a.m. — she helps in the kitchen before embarking on her rounds.
Robert Lee, a Madison-area accountant, has been a concession supervisor for UW Athletics since 2013. He's a unique case because, well, let him tell you.
"I'm not much of a sports fan," he said.
But Lee, a self-described people person who lives in Sun Prairie, Wis., with his wife and two sons, is drawn to the role for several reasons.
"It is fun to be part of the day, to be in the background of the inner workings of Camp Randall that most people don't get to see," he said. "It's fun to be part of the team.
"I really enjoy working with the volunteers. They're all sorts of groups from all different aspects of non-profit. If you have a regular group coming in, you build relationships and it is fun to see them every game day."
Lee said he's so wrapped up in his duties, especially when it comes time to close each stand, process inventory and balance the books, "that the game will end and I wouldn't know what the outcome was until I check my phone or get home."
VanderSaden and Lee welcome the introduction of cash-less concessions this school year.
"That will be huge," she said.
"That's a big help," he said, "because at the end of the day that was the biggest struggle, balancing the cash."
VanderSaden and Lee are excited for another school year of games to begin, especially given the limitations of 2020-21. Fans weren't allowed at UW games, regardless of venue or sport, which meant no concessions. Both supervisors took part in fall training sessions leading up to the "Badgers Are Back (To Back)" event Saturday.
Lee said he hasn't missed working a Badgers game in eight years in large part because of the camaraderie.
"You work with great people," he said. "That's what keeps me coming back, the people aspect."
Hey @UWMadison students, want to secure a great job for when you get back on campus next fall?
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) July 19, 2021
Levy, concessions and premium services partner of UW Athletics, is now hiring. Join our team!
INFO » https://t.co/e6UZqyBNRU pic.twitter.com/3yem2gh9zX
