COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- When Shawn Flynn graduated from Pitt-Johnstown in 1988, his dream was to become an athletic director at a college.
Flynn, 37, is living out his dream at the University of Maryland, after he received his master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports management at the school.
The 1984 graduate of Connellsville Area High School is the associate athletics director for internal operations and is in charge of 11 outstanding minor sports, which include men's and women's soccer, men's lacrosse and track and field.
"It's a great job," Flynn said. "It's like every job. You have your good days and your bad ones."
Flynn was in charge of working with vendors at the new $125 million Comcast Center. He handled all the bids for the furnishing of the new basketball home for the Terrapins.
He also oversees all the athletic facilities at the university. The 18,000-seat Comcast Center replaced the outdated Cole Field House.
Flynn started as a graduate assistant in 1988 for Intramurals and Sports Clubs with Campus Recreation Services. In 1990, he was hired as the campus recreation coordinator for facilities and sports clubs. In that role, he administered a 25-club Sport Club program, in addition to establishing a First-Aid/CPR program. In 1994, his responsibilities expanded. He was promoted to assistant director for facilities and sports clubs.
Two years later, Flynn was promoted to associate director for facilities. He played a big role in the development, opening and operation of two major facility initiatives: the Campus Recreation Center and Ritchie Coliseum.
He was event director for the 1999 and 2000 FINA United States Swimming World Cup.
His brother Brent, 37, also works at Maryland. He is a 1988 graduate of the college and is currently the associate director for business for Campus Recreation Services.
Both live with their families in Columbia, Md.
The Flynns have another brother, Scott, a teacher in the Connellsville Area School District. The Flynn brothers are triplets.
SCHMITT'S PARTY
Maryland center Kyle Schmitt (Derry Area) and members of the Terrapins offensive line joined the Schmitt family after the game.
Schmitt's father, Ed, said the players usually eat the food left over from tailgating.
There were 25 to 30 friends and family who attended the game.
THIS AND THAT
The video scoreboard at Byrd Stadium is not operated there. A studio in the Comcast Center, about a half-mile away, operates the scoreboard. ... Because of Hurricane Isabel, many hotels and businesses in the College Park area did not have electricity. Many fans were forced to find alternate accommodations. There were no classes at Maryland on Thursday and Friday.
