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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER> TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS </H1>
<H2 ALIGN=CENTER> Sparrow, Bagwell Keep Coliseum In Top Condition </H2>
<H3 ALIGN=CENTER> by Goodloe Sutton Jr.</H3>

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<P>
Tom Sparrow has a bird's eye view of the 2,000 people making Auburn's football fans feel at home in Jordan-Hare Stadium on football Saturdays.  </P>
<P>
Sparrow is in charge of game operations at Jordan-Hare stadium. During the game he watches the events unfold from his perch in the press box. </P>
<P>
"We handle all of the working passes, parking passes, and elevator passes. We contact the officials, get ready for the police escorts and coordinate with the visiting teams," Sparrow explained. "It's a total game operation. Putting on a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium takes about 2,000 people. This is everything from the concession vendors to the first-aid personnel, to the police department, the fire department, the press box announcer and even the officials on the 'chain gang', just to name a few." </P>
<P>
Sparrow's primary responsibility is as the director of Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and the Student Activities Center.  But in addition, he and his staff also work closely with the Athletic Department on football game days and other events. </P>
<P>
More than 200,000 visitors entered Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and the Student Activities Center this past year for approximately 200 special events. All were coordinated by Sparrow and his staff.
Managing recreational facilities had it's seeds at an early age for Sparrow. He began work with the City of Auburn Recreation Department in the seventh grade. He continued with the city until he received his bachelor's degree in recreation and administration from Auburn in 1970. He was hired as a part-time employee for the University in 1970, and became a full-time assistant in 1971. </P>
<P>
"My job is not an eight-hour a day job," Sparrow said. "I attend every event in the football stadium, the coliseum, and the student activity center." </P>
<P>
"We've had circuses, guest speakers and large rock shows. We've had shows from Reba McIntyre to the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Wayne Newton, the national wrestling championships, Bob Hope, John Denver, Clint Black, Alan Jackson and President Gerald Ford," Sparrow recalled. </P>
<P>
The multi-purpose Beard-Eaves coliseum has 251 rooms. </P>
<P>
"In 1968 when it was completed, the coliseum had the largest suspended ceiling in the world," Sparrow said. "We also have classes, gymnastics, basketball games and graduation ceremonies." </P>
<P>
Sparrow attributes his success to his staff which consists of his assistant manager Keith Bagwell, a secretary, two maintenance supervisors, and 24 workers in the coliseum. </P>
<P>
"'I' never did get anything done. It's 'We'. It's all about teamwork," Sparrow said. "I couldn't put on a show unless everyone cooperates. It's not me doing it. I'm just here pulling everyone together, sort of like a puzzle. </P>
<P>
"Mr. Bagwell has done a fantastic job. He is our right-hand person," Sparrow said of his assistant. "He grew up in Auburn and both of his parents taught here." </P>
<P>
Bagwell was equally complimentary. </P>
<P>
"He's a good boss. I dare you to find another building on campus as old as the coliseum, that is in as good shape. What we go through over here to keep the water running and the lights on is mind boggling," Bagwell smiled. "He knows the building and his job as well as anybody in the country." </P>
<P>
Bagwell worked for Sparrow in the ticket office, concessions, the union building and student security. "I did anything I could to pay my way through school," Bagwell said. He received his bachelor's degree in history from Auburn in 1980, and a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1983. </P>
<P>
During football season Bagwell is in charge of restricted parking which includes alumni, scholarship, handicapped, motor homes. He also manages parking around buildings close to the stadium. "That pretty much uses up my fall time," Bagwell commented. </P>
<P>
Sparrow also works closely with the Health and Human Performance Department, scheduling courses in the coliseum classrooms. He also teaches PE 155, better known to students as Angling. </P>
<P>
"I want to make Auburn a friendly place. I don't have any negative thoughts. Every day isn't roses. If somebody said I could say only one thing about Auburn, it would be thanks for the memories," Sparrow smiled. </P>
<P>
Sparrow has many fond memories on the plains. </P>
<P>
"Out of my 26 years, the 1989 Alabama football game here in our stadium was one of the highlights of my career. It was a highlight of anyone's career," Sparrow recalled. ". . . also meeting President Ford and Elvis Presley." </P>
<P>
Sparrow has also seen some unusual antics during his tenure. </P>
<P>
"We had streakers during a Fifth Dimension concert," Sparrow laughed. "Also the unusual way students sneak liquor into the stadium on Saturdays is funny. Most of the students will be wearing shorts and someone shows up wearing cowboy boots. The temperature will be 110 degrees." </P>
<P>
Bagwell recalls a lighter moment during the Crimson Tide's second visit to the plains. </P>
<P>
"I hit a car in a golf cart. As it gets further and further away in history, it gets funnier. The bad thing about that is, I almost ripped the car door off and there wasn't even a dent on the cart. I had to go back to driving school," Bagwell laughed. </P>
<P>
Sparrow is proud that he was raised as an Auburn citizen. </P>
<P>
"When someone comes to Auburn, they come to a special place. I just can't say enough about it. It's been a real pleasure for me. I couldn't be happier with Auburn." </P>
<P>
"I've seen a lot of different things happen. I've seen us go from having zero women's sports, to having 11 today," Sparrow said. "I think we have some of the best facilities in the nation." </P>
</TD>
<TD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH=86>
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<IMG ALT="Tom Sparrow" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=76 HEIGHT=86 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/sparrow.jpg">
<BR CLEAR=ALL>
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<B><I>Tom Sparrow</I></B>
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<IMG ALT="Keith Bagwell" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=74 HEIGHT=87 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/bagwell.jpg">
<BR CLEAR=ALL>
<FONT SIZE=2>
<B><I>Keith Bagwell </I></B>
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	<HEAD>

	<TITLE>Sparrow</TITLE>

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	<H1 ALIGN=CENTER> TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS </H1>
	<H2 ALIGN=CENTER> Sparrow, Bagwell Keep Coliseum In Top Condition </H2>
	<H3 ALIGN=CENTER> by Goodloe Sutton Jr.</H3>

	<TABLE BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=3>
	<TR>
	<TD>
	<P>
	Tom Sparrow has a bird's eye view of the 2,000 people making Auburn's football fans feel at home in Jordan-Hare Stadium on football Saturdays. </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow is in charge of game operations at Jordan-Hare stadium. During the game he watches the events unfold from his perch in the press box. </P>
	<P>
	"We handle all of the working passes, parking passes, and elevator passes. We contact the officials, get ready for the police escorts and coordinate with the visiting teams," Sparrow explained. "It's a total game operation. Putting on a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium takes about 2,000 people. This is everything from the concession vendors to the first-aid personnel, to the police department, the fire department, the press box announcer and even the officials on the 'chain gang', just to name a few." </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow's primary responsibility is as the director of Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and the Student Activities Center. But in addition, he and his staff also work closely with the Athletic Department on football game days and other events. </P>
	<P>
	More than 200,000 visitors entered Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and the Student Activities Center this past year for approximately 200 special events. All were coordinated by Sparrow and his staff.
	Managing recreational facilities had it's seeds at an early age for Sparrow. He began work with the City of Auburn Recreation Department in the seventh grade. He continued with the city until he received his bachelor's degree in recreation and administration from Auburn in 1970. He was hired as a part-time employee for the University in 1970, and became a full-time assistant in 1971. </P>
	<P>
	"My job is not an eight-hour a day job," Sparrow said. "I attend every event in the football stadium, the coliseum, and the student activity center." </P>
	<P>
	"We've had circuses, guest speakers and large rock shows. We've had shows from Reba McIntyre to the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Wayne Newton, the national wrestling championships, Bob Hope, John Denver, Clint Black, Alan Jackson and President Gerald Ford," Sparrow recalled. </P>
	<P>
	The multi-purpose Beard-Eaves coliseum has 251 rooms. </P>
	<P>
	"In 1968 when it was completed, the coliseum had the largest suspended ceiling in the world," Sparrow said. "We also have classes, gymnastics, basketball games and graduation ceremonies." </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow attributes his success to his staff which consists of his assistant manager Keith Bagwell, a secretary, two maintenance supervisors, and 24 workers in the coliseum. </P>
	<P>
	"'I' never did get anything done. It's 'We'. It's all about teamwork," Sparrow said. "I couldn't put on a show unless everyone cooperates. It's not me doing it. I'm just here pulling everyone together, sort of like a puzzle. </P>
	<P>
	"Mr. Bagwell has done a fantastic job. He is our right-hand person," Sparrow said of his assistant. "He grew up in Auburn and both of his parents taught here." </P>
	<P>
	Bagwell was equally complimentary. </P>
	<P>
	"He's a good boss. I dare you to find another building on campus as old as the coliseum, that is in as good shape. What we go through over here to keep the water running and the lights on is mind boggling," Bagwell smiled. "He knows the building and his job as well as anybody in the country." </P>
	<P>
	Bagwell worked for Sparrow in the ticket office, concessions, the union building and student security. "I did anything I could to pay my way through school," Bagwell said. He received his bachelor's degree in history from Auburn in 1980, and a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1983. </P>
	<P>
	During football season Bagwell is in charge of restricted parking which includes alumni, scholarship, handicapped, motor homes. He also manages parking around buildings close to the stadium. "That pretty much uses up my fall time," Bagwell commented. </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow also works closely with the Health and Human Performance Department, scheduling courses in the coliseum classrooms. He also teaches PE 155, better known to students as Angling. </P>
	<P>
	"I want to make Auburn a friendly place. I don't have any negative thoughts. Every day isn't roses. If somebody said I could say only one thing about Auburn, it would be thanks for the memories," Sparrow smiled. </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow has many fond memories on the plains. </P>
	<P>
	"Out of my 26 years, the 1989 Alabama football game here in our stadium was one of the highlights of my career. It was a highlight of anyone's career," Sparrow recalled. ". . . also meeting President Ford and Elvis Presley." </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow has also seen some unusual antics during his tenure. </P>
	<P>
	"We had streakers during a Fifth Dimension concert," Sparrow laughed. "Also the unusual way students sneak liquor into the stadium on Saturdays is funny. Most of the students will be wearing shorts and someone shows up wearing cowboy boots. The temperature will be 110 degrees." </P>
	<P>
	Bagwell recalls a lighter moment during the Crimson Tide's second visit to the plains. </P>
	<P>
	"I hit a car in a golf cart. As it gets further and further away in history, it gets funnier. The bad thing about that is, I almost ripped the car door off and there wasn't even a dent on the cart. I had to go back to driving school," Bagwell laughed. </P>
	<P>
	Sparrow is proud that he was raised as an Auburn citizen. </P>
	<P>
	"When someone comes to Auburn, they come to a special place. I just can't say enough about it. It's been a real pleasure for me. I couldn't be happier with Auburn." </P>
	<P>
	"I've seen a lot of different things happen. I've seen us go from having zero women's sports, to having 11 today," Sparrow said. "I think we have some of the best facilities in the nation." </P>
	</TD>
	<TD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH=86>
	<P>
	<IMG ALT="Tom Sparrow" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=76 HEIGHT=86 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/sparrow.jpg">
	<BR CLEAR=ALL>
	<FONT SIZE=2>
	<B><I>Tom Sparrow</I></B>
	</P>
	<BR>
	<BR>
	<P>
	<IMG ALT="Keith Bagwell" ALIGN =RIGHT WIDTH=74 HEIGHT=87 BORDER=2 SRC=" pic/bagwell.jpg">
	<BR CLEAR=ALL>
	<FONT SIZE=2>
	<B><I>Keith Bagwell </I></B>
	</P>

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