Tim Beck’s Athletic Internship a Learning Experience
Tim Beck is immersed in the Blue Devil athletic program. The senior is engaged in a career internship with the Huntington School District’s director of health, physical education and athletics and he’s learning all of the intricacies associated with the office.
Mr. Beck spends at least one period in the athletic director’s office each school day. Sometimes he comes during free periods, too. The teenager has been working closely with Georgia D. McCarthy, the department’s director and learning about what takes place behind the scenes to keep the program running smoothly at the middle school and high school levels.
“It’s great,” Mr. Beck said about his intern experience. “I’ve learned so much about the office and what the job is. Working with Mrs. McCarthy is definitely the highlight of my day. We have so much fun, but I learn so much about all the sports and the meetings she goes to, which I’m lucky enough to attend.”
Mr. Beck plans to attend the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Riverdale section of The Bronx in the fall. He intends to study criminal justice and play on the NCAA Division III lacrosse team there.
“I’d like to be a police officer, just like both of my parents,” Mr. Beck said in reference to his intended academic major. “When I visited the school I knew right away that I would like it. “It’s in the city and on the Hudson River. When I went on my visit, I fit in so well and the lacrosse team was great. I can’t wait to start everything.”
Mr. Beck has played on Huntington’s varsity volleyball and lacrosse teams and has also spent time as a member of the Blue Devil basketball program. He participates in the Suffolk Police Department’s Explorers program, which provides life, career and leadership development opportunities for 14-20 year olds “with insight into the skills and techniques needed to succeed in life and as a police officer,” according to a county description of the initiative.
Mr. Beck has seamlessly blended into the athletic department. “I’m very close with Mrs. McCarthy, which is why we get along so well and why I wanted to do it,” he said. “What also made me want to do it is just being an athlete in general I was always in there and got very close with [department secretaries] Mary Lou Paxton and Amy Smith and I would help them out with things in my off period and I really liked the whole sports organizing and coaching, so I asked if I could intern and it was a ‘yes!’”
“Tim has been an enormous help in the athletic office,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “He is responsible for posting all home and away events on the athletic board in the office with transportation times. This is the ‘go to’ board for all athletes and coaches during and after the school day.”
Mr. Beck is a “people person” if one ever existed. He enjoys conversing with others on just about any topic. “Tim has helped Amy Smith with compiling all team rosters and team season and individual athlete results in our program books,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “He is a great liaison between our athletic office and the student-athletes. He is able to answer many of their questions when they come in for help.”
A well-known figure around Huntington High Mr. Beck cites Kathleen Sambour and Michael Schwendemann as “two teachers that have helped me the most.”
“Ms. Sambour is always there for me and I will probably miss her the most,” Mr. Beck said. “Mr. Schwendemann had me my brother and sister and is just a great I guy,” the senior added. “I have learned so much from him.”
As Mr. Beck’s internship continues, the teenager is delving into the athletic office’s operations even more deeply. “Tim will be attending upcoming Section XI meetings so he understands how decisions are made at the state and local levels and how that affects us in Huntington,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “Tim has a great sense of humor and keeps us all on our toes while we are answering multiple phone calls and planning for the day’s events and also future athletic events.”
Change is afoot in the athletic office and Mr. Beck is ready, willing and able to help during a period of transition. “Tim has been a tremendous help and I am really glad that we will have him for the upcoming spring season, especially when Ms. Smith retires at the end of this month,” Mrs. McCarthy said.