Jeremy Johnson - Unusual and Awesome Jobs in Sports: Pro Team Mascot, Pit Crew Member, and More

Guillain, Charlotte. Sports. Jobs If You Like Chicago: Heinemann, 2012.

Oxlade, Chris. Sports. Raintree Perspectives: The Science Behind. Chicago: Raintree,2012.

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1. Though rodeos sometimes lead to injuries of the bull riders, fans seem to love them.How do rodeo clowns fit into the danger and entertainment element of rodeos? Do yousuppose that the possibility of danger is a reason fans love rodeos? (Key Ideas andDetails)
2. Read the text on page 30 and look at the photograph on page 31. How does the athleticability of mascots and athletes compare? Why might it be important for a mascot tobe able to jump high or run fast? (Integration of Knowledge and Ideas)

So you like sports, huh? Youre familiar with baseball, football, and basketball.But did you know that there are many sports jobs that dont involve being the athleteout on the field or court?

The sports world offers many types of challenging jobs. Some jobs place the luckyemployees right in the middle of the action, such as being a professional mascot,B.A.S.E. jumping, and bullfighting. Other jobs are behind the scenes, such as iceresurfacing, personal training, and . But they all involve a loveof sports and physical challenges. You may not have known the following sports jobswere out there.

Salary : $150-$500 per event for beginners and up to $1,000 to $2,000 per event forexperienced rodeo clowns and bullfighters

Special Skills : acting; good reflexes; bravery

Education : first aid; rodeo knowledge

Prior Experience : a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit card ishelpful

Work Schedule : a typical rodeo season runs from the spring through the fall

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WANTED

A bucking and kicking bull has flung a rider off its back. The rider crashes intothe dirt. The rules say that a rider needs to stay on the bull for eight secondsbefore points are scored. The bull rider knows he didnt stay on the bull long enough.But he doesnt care about his score. Right now he sees that the bull has lined himup between his horns. And the bull is ready to charge. The bull rider is in danger.But the rodeo clown and bullfighter are there to help him.

Rodeo clowns entertain crowds by telling jokes and performing . These activitieshelp make sure everyone is in a good mood and engaged in the rodeo events. The jokesand skits also help calm the audience when there is an accident or emergency.

Bullfighters protect the bull rider. They practice special moves that help guidethe animal away from the bull rider. Bullfighters dance in colorful, loose clothingto get the bulls attention. The bull rider can then scamper to safety after fallingoff the bull.

skit a short play that is often funny

Rodeo clowns and bullfighters wear face paint, but this is for the crowds entertainment.An angry bull probably doesnt care about face paint. Rodeo clowns and bullfighterswear protective gear, such as padded vests, padded shorts, and shin guards. Theyeven have barrels they can jump into to avoid being by an angry bull.

It used to be that the rodeo clown was also the bullfighter. But the two jobs havebecome distinct from each other. They are now considered separate jobs at most rodeos.

SPORTS OFFICIAL

Salary : $100,000 per year or more is possible for professional sports officials

Special Skills : good eyesight; quick, dependable judgment

Education : officiating schools and seminars; understanding of the rulebook

Prior Experience : familiarity with the sport

Work Schedule : games are seasonal by sport; individual games last typically one tothree hours

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WANTED

A base runner slides into home plate. A receiver catches a football right on thesideline. A basketball swishes through the net at the buzzer. In most sports decisionshave to be made quickly. Was the base runner safe or out at home? Were the receiversfeet in or out of bounds? Was the shot made before time ran out? A sports officialdecides. Those decisions require a careful eye and professional training.

All sports have rules. If a player or coach breaks the rules, the official handsout . Officials use whistles, flags, or hand signals when they see someonebreak a rule.

Some sports, such as boxing and wrestling, need just one official. Other sports needa team of officials, such as football and baseball. Most officials wear uniformsthat make them stand out from the players. Depending on the sport, the name for asports official varies. An official may be called a referee, umpire, or judge.

penalty a punishment for breaking the rules

Sometimes the officials have to keep up with the players to judge the game better.Officials have to be in good physical shape just like the players. Many officials,in their free time, play the sport they officiate. This practice helps them stayin shape. It also helps them learn any new rules to the game as well as rememberthe old rules.

YOUD BETTER BELIEVE IT!

Sometimes a play happens so fast that an official needsto watch an instant replay to make the correct call. The National Football Leaguehas had a form of instant replay since 1986. But Major League Baseball didnt allowfor instant replay until 2008.

Officials need confidence in their calls. Confidence is important because some playerswill scream at the official because they disagree with the call. Sometimes officialshave to eject coaches, players, or even fans from the game if they break the rules.Officials need to trust that they are making the correct call. They cant secondguess their calls just because someone yells at them.