Meet Matt Charvat
9/24/2010 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
How long have you worked with Maryland women's basketball?
Since I started working here in October of 1999.
How did you get involved with the program? Where did you work before?
I worked with the women's basketball team at Morehead State University for four seasons before I came here to Maryland.
Did you always want to work in college athletics?
Yes. I played and was involved in sports all my life and wanted to choose a career that would let me continue to do that.
What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am the Associate Head Athletic Trainer and I worked directly with the football and women's basketball programs. As well as various administrative duties, I handle all the day to day and long term medical issues for women's basketball. Everything from long term illnesses to orthopedic issues. I take care of injuries from the initial evaluation stage to return to activity.
What would you say is the best part about your job?
Getting to work with the athletes and watching them develop as their careers progress. Dealing with medical issues I develop a special bond with most of the girls as I am someone they really look too and depend on. I also enjoy the travel that is associated with working in college athletics.
Oct. 3, 2010
Meet Jennifer Carson Elkonoh, Administrative Assistant
How long have you worked for the Maryland women's basketball program?
This will be my seventh season here. I started with the women's basketball program in the summer of 2004.
How did you end up in your job?
I interviewed for a position in media relations. I didn't get that position, but Doug Dull, the Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations, knew there was going to be an open position in women's basketball. He thought I might be a good fit. Another interview, a few phone calls, a challenging typing test later, and the rest is history.
What made you decide to work in college athletics?
I always thought I would like to work at a university in campus programs like student activities or campus recreation. I participated in college athletics at the Division III level and after moving to the state of Maryland, became a great fan of the Terps. The interest in athletics was definitely always there. I've had great previous professional experiences in municipal based recreation programs, coordinating summer day camps, adult athletic leagues, and community-based special events.
What does a typical day in your job consist of?
My days are really varied, which keeps everything interesting, but the one constant is that the office is always busy. I assist our staff with many of the administrative tasks that they are responsible for, like travel plans, expense reports, and purchasing supplies. In many of my duties, I act as a link to folks reaching out to our coaches and players. Whether it's by a visit to our office, a phone call, or by email, I always try to make that first contact with Maryland women's basketball a positive experience. Additionally, I act as a staff liaison to our women's basketball alumni and to our booster organization, The Rebounders.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part is the opportunity to work with and form lasting relationships with really great people- including co-workers, our student-athletes, Rebounder members, and fans. Everyone is very dedicated to promoting a positive environment where there is the opportunity for great things to happen every day.
Sept. 29, 2010
Meet Danielle Hemerka, Assistant to the Recruiting Coordinator
How long have you been working with the program?
I'm in my third year working with the Maryland Women's Basketball program.
How did you get involved with the team?
After graduating from Davidson College, I had one of my former coaches put me into contact with Coach B. He knew that I was looking and trying to get into the coaching profession, and he knew that Coach B was looking for someone who didn't have experience, but was looking to become a coach. It was the perfect fit!
Why did you decide to work in college athletics?
When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional basketball player, but as that dream started to fade, the next thing that came to my mind was to coach basketball players. By coaching it allows me to share my love and passion for the game with others. It doesn't matter to me if I'm coaching college or a recreational league, I just enjoy being around the game and in athletics.
Explain what you do on a day to day basis?
My day to day responsibilities range from cutting film to prepare for opponents, to overseeing our managers and scout team, to helping with our recruiting database, letters, and mailouts. I also assist all of our coaches in anything they need help with. Needless to say my job involves a lot of different aspects of our program, and has given me a ton of experience.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part of my job is being around our team and staff. We have such a collection of different people and personalities, that it is awesome to get to work with and around everyone.
Sept. 27, 2010
Meet Kyle Tarp, strength and conditioning coach
How long have you worked with the Maryland women's basketball team?
For about three months.
How did you get involved with the program?
Coach Frese and Paul Ricci [Director of Basketball Performance] created a Strength and Conditioning position to work exclusively with women's Basketball. Prior to accepting the position at Maryland, I spent two years at the University of Texas at Austin completing my master's degree in sport science and nutrition. During that time I worked with the men and women's basketball teams and lectured for both the physical education and kinesiology departments.
What drew you to working in strength and conditioning?
I have always wanted to work with individuals who are passionate and committed to improving. Athletes tend to fit this description.
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I oversee all areas of performance enhancement for the women's basketball program. This includes the design and implementation of training, nutrition and recovery strategies. I also assist in these duties for the men's Basketball program.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part of the job is the process (strategizing, planning and staying true to foundational principles). Adaptations and improvements take time. To see them take place and witness the confidence of the athlete's grow is very rewarding. I also have the opportunity to learn the game of basketball from the best coaching minds in the country!
Meet Heather Arianna, Academic Support
How long have you worked with Maryland women's basketball?
Since August of 2009
How long have you worked with Maryland in general and what teams have you worked with?
Since December 1995 - almost 15 years! I spent 13 seasons working with football, but I have also worked with men's and women's soccer, field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, wrestling, men's golf, and men's and women's track & field and cross country. In addition to women's basketball, I currently work with volleyball and baseball.
How did you get interested in working in college athletics?
My dad is an athletic trainer, but he is now retired. He spent 25 years at Syracuse. Their new sports medicine facility in the Carmelo Anthony Center is named after my parents and my brother and sister played college sports. My sis played soccer at Wright State and my brother played football and lacrosse at Syracuse. I started running study table when I was a freshman at Syracuse and then did an internship my senior year with three student-athletes which basically solidified my decision to go into academic support. I was a grad assistant in Academic Support at Louisville and then spent a year at Florida State working in Athletic Academic Services before coming here in 1995.
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
A big portion of my day is spent meeting with students, contacting professors, and monitoring grades. I also meet weekly with my coaches, help set up tutors, and facilitate any other academic needs the students may have. I teach a section of UNIV 100 which is our seminar for freshmen student-athletes.
What would you say is the best part about your job?
Watching the students progress from freshman year to graduation. Graduation is like my Christmas and yes, I cry when I see the kids in their caps and gowns! I like working with the students and really getting to know them. Watching them work hard and then reap the benefits is what it is all about for me.
