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Huntimer's passion for sports benefits DSU
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By ARIY-EL BOYNTON, Sports Editor
| 07/30/2009 |
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Nick Huntimer's love of sports started at an early age. Now 27, his love of all things sports-related has not stopped. Sports fill his time even to the point of his full-time job.
After Huntimer's attempt at being hired as a teacher fell through, Dakota State University Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss hired Huntimer in 2006 as Sports Information Director.
Wockenfuss noticed potential in Huntimer when Huntimer worked as an intern from 2001-05 while completing his business education major. Wockenfuss is still extremely pleased with Huntimer's work ethic.
"He is invaluable to Dakota State athletics. Period. Matter of fact, that (hiring Huntimer) was one of my big, big pushes when I took this job six years ago when Nick was an intern at that time. I could just see the passion that was bleeding out of this young man," said Wockenfuss.
"He's a kid that will come here in the morning and won't leave until all the doors are locked," Wockenfuss said. "He brings a lot of passion to this place. I'm very, very fortunate to have a man of his nature."
Huntimer, an Oldham native, spends a lot of time in the DSU Fieldhouse, but he also travels to several sporting events throughout the region. He likes being involved with all sports at the local university.
"Sometimes I wish I could focus on just football or basketball, but working with all sports makes my job really worth it. I can see every athlete compete at least once, and that's why I do it -- for them," said Huntimer.
Knowledge is essential for Huntimer, who is also a technology coordinator at DSU. His job requires him to know how to work the scoreboard, keep proper scores for a wide variety of sports, write articles on games, and announce new signees, weather cancellations and general news. Huntimer is also responsible for communications with the DAC and NAIA about national honors.
"I don't put a blue & yellow jersey on, but this is pretty close," said Huntimer.
The closest Huntimer has come to being on the court was as student assistant in women's basketball and softball in the 2004-05 seasons.
He and his Sioux Falls Association for the Deaf softball team placed second this year in the Midwest Regional tournament and landed in the championship game for the fifth time in the last six years. In August, his softball team will travel to Florida to participate in the national softball tournament. Besides softball, Huntimer's teams have been successful in basketball.
He also volunteers at the annual Entringer Classic and claims to have a decent golf game. "I could shoot par, if I had more time to work on my game."
Huntimer, who is legally deaf, does not let his lack of hearing affect his communication skills. Working for one of the most wired schools in the region, Huntimer has his Blackberry close to his side and relies heavily on text messaging and e-mails. He learned to sign and read lips at the South Dakota School for the Deaf.
"Fall is a busy time with DSU football, volleyball and basketball just around the corner," said Huntimer, who also is a referee for high school volleyball and will become a college volleyball official this fall. "But on Friday you can see a basketball practice, volleyball game and you know there's football the next afternoon."
It's safe to say that sports are never far from Huntimer's mind.
"Nick is just a huge sports fan. He could tell you anything about anything," said Wockenfuss. "Whether it would be professional or who won the softball game at Thue/Baughman Parks where he umpires, he is just a real sports fanatic. I just think it is who he is."
Huntimer, who works on a 10-month contract for DSU, fulfills his sports fix by watching the Minnesota Twins, umpiring for softball and baseball and playing noon basketball at The Community Center.
"There are some things that I don't understand, like war, women and the stock market. But a ball, spike, a finish line or a hoop, I get it. A lot of my friends have come from playing sports," he said.
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©Madison Daily Leader 2009
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