Zack Durr explains how VTSU Castleton helped prepared him for the job
Vermont State University athletes at the Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses enjoy participating in NCAA sports. College athletics provide both immediate benefits—such as academic support, medical care, and access to coaching, facilities and equipment—and longer-term benefits, such as teamwork and leadership skills. One Castleton student is experiencing even more from the NCAA, as an intern beginning in the organization’s Indianapolis office and culminating at the its Women’s College Basketball Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Zack Durr, a track and field athlete, who is also the Castleton campus’s new Senior Class President, hit the ground running in more ways than one this summer. He splits his days between work and track training. “The days are long, but really fun,” he notes. “The internship has been an absolute blessing from God. I’m just over a month in—so halfway. In some ways, it feels like we’ve been here forever; in other ways, it feels like it’s only been a week.”
He and nine other interns work together on the Women’s College Basketball Academy, which gives prospective women student-athletes a sample of the college basketball experience. Another team of seven administers the men’s academy. All live together in some capacity. The interns share living quarters as well as office space.
“The College Basketball Academies are three-day long showcases for the best high school and junior college basketball players in the country. They pair high-level basketball competition with life skills instruction relating to being a student athlete,” Durr explained. “All of the interns were hired to help with planning and executing the events. We communicate with athletes and their parents to be sure all the forms and waivers we need are in place. I oversee 60 students and their families,” he noted.
“Most of the work involves calling and emailing parents and cross-referencing information with spreadsheets we maintain to be sure all forms are filled out. We also answer any questions families may have and help with steps like booking flights. I like people, so I enjoy the work,” he continued.
He explained that students arrive at the academy through several different pathways. Some come with other members of their own teams, others as individuals.
“Some are selected to attend by NCAA Division I coaches,” Durr said. “Those coaches watch players play and scout at the event. Several Division II and Division III coaches coach the student teams. Some of our work involves checking information for coaches. We also did some research on where players from last year ended up—where they committed for college.”
After the initial administrative work is done, Durr and the other interns will travel to South Carolina to see their planning executed during the academy from July 27 to 29.
“We’ll arrive a few days before the students and leave a day after. I’m really looking forward to seeing all work we’ve done come to reality. I think it’s great to provide student athletes with this kind of experience, so it will be cool to see it happen,” he noted.
Durr credits his time at Castleton both for helping him land the job and teaching him skills he’s using in it. He learned of the opportunity through a website, teamworkonline, that details jobs in college athletics. Having served as president of the Castleton Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and an associate member of the NCAA Division III SAAC, he had been to the Indianapolis office before. While he wasn’t familiar with the basketball academies, he knew a lot about the way NCAA operates.
“I also was student government treasurer for several years and the number of skills I learned about organizing and communications are really applicable to this role or a similar role In any field. I owe some credit to the extracurricular activities I did at VTSU for that. Being a student-athlete gives you a packed schedule, but being at VTSU Castleton has allowed me the opportunity to get involved in more things without sacrificing anything about my sport,” he noted. In addition to competing in track, holding several offices in student government and participating in SAAC, Durr has been treasurer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and resident assistant at his dorm, Wheeler Hall.
“I give a lot of credit to my coaches in the VTSU Castleton track and field program over the past three years— David Harvey, Ian Sawtelle, Mike Audette, Austin Beauregard and Jay Condon—for helping me to adjust my training based on my other commitments and giving me the best chance to succeed on the track and in my other roles on campus,” he acknowledged.
“Zack is involved in numerous leadership roles on campus and thrives in each of them,” said VTSU Castleton Director of Athletics Tim Barrett. “He has immersed himself into every opportunity that has come his way since the moment he arrived at Castleton, and his hard work has led him to an incredible opportunity with the NCAA this summer. Those who work closely with him know that this is just the beginning of what will be an impressive career in athletics.”
Durr said he decided on VTSU Castleton because of the effort the campus’s former head coach Jay Condon put in to recruit him.
“He truly made me feel like I would be a huge addition to the team,” Durr related. “I also intended on dual majoring in sports management and business management—with a career goal of working in college athletics—and I realized that was something I could do after a few professors were kind enough to chat with me about the programs as a prospective student.”
Durr said he is proud of his decision to choose VTSU.
“Going to VTSU Castleton is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been incredible for my development as a leader, a student-athlete, and as a Christian. I have able to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout my time as a Spartan,” he shared.
Durr said he highly recommends playing sports at VTSU to high school students making decisions about college now.
“This is a place filled with special people. It’s hard to describe, but VTSU Castleton is unlike anywhere else. The sheer heart that everyone has for athletics and supporting each other is incredible,” he noted. “Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee collaborates to ensure all teams are supported by each other, and our athletic department puts a heavy emphasis on that idea as well. This is the place to be if you want to grow and be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Photo above of Zack Durr, courtesy of Zack.
