An occasional feature throughout the season, "Time Out" by USCRipsIt staff writer Elaine Cruz will give you glimpses into the lives of the people who support the Trojans and make the program run smoothly. Today, executive administrative assistant Joyce Hirayama gets the spotlight...
By Elaine Cruz
USCRipsIt staff writer
Anytime you walk into the football office in Heritage Hall, you're bound to see a vibrant atmosphere. With the 2009 football season underway, it comes as no surprise that there is a lot of buzz, as well as foot traffic. And no one knows how hectic it can get in the football office more than executive administrative assistant Joyce Hirayama.
Hirayama has worked for the football department for 12 seasons -- three years longer than Coach Pete Carroll. She started her position during Coach Paul Hackett's first year leading the Trojans. She didn't start out at the university working with the football program, however. Her first job at USC was in the School of Cinematic Arts working as an assistant in the Dean's office. She got referred to the football department and has been there since.
The main functions of Hirayama's job are to take care of the overall maintenance of the office and to help the assistant coaches with administrative tasks. At least that's what she did until this year.
"My job has changed this year," Hirayama says with a slight chuckle. "I have a lot more responsibility."
She goes on to explain that this is the first year in which she is directly assisting Carroll, along with assisting the other coaches. Hirayama describes that working for Carroll is a lot of fun and says there is "never a dull moment."
During the short interview for this story, Hirayama was constantly sought out by football staff and she answered every inquiry as if the answer was burned into her brain, proving how busy and important her job is. Though her environment may be one of high energy, she remains low-key, a quality which is noticeable about her personality.
Hirayama said she spends her spare time reading, being with her family and going to Disneyland. One thing about Hirayama that some may not know about is that she has an artistic nature.
"I love painting. I've been painting all my life," she says. Hirayama also hopes to one day start a business.
Other duties that she tends to in the office, apart from acting as an office manager, are knowing Carroll's schedule and making sure she keeps tabs on where he is.
"If I can catch him -- he moves fast," she said about Carroll. She also acts as an intermediary between the coaches' wives. And if this isn't all enough, she's the cheerleader of the office and is also the one that brings in the sweets. For example, she supplies all the cakes and cookies for birthdays and other special occasions.
When asked how her family feels about her job she says that they are proud and supportive of her.
"They've all grown to be huge Trojan fans. They love my job. They never want me to quit," she says with a smile. Hirayama, who was born in Chicago, moved to Los Angeles before she turned five. She grew up in the South Bay area and now lives in Torrance with her husband. She has two daughters, one who lives in Torrance and the other in Seattle, as well as four grandchildren. Hirayama also has familial ties in Hawaii and makes a trip there once a year.
Hirayama's family is an athletic one. She isn't the only person in her family that has been involved in an athletic program. Her husband Dale, who is a teacher for the LAUSD, has coached high school football for 20 years. Her two daughters were both basketball players. Hirayama is very proud of working for the football department and she claims her grandchildren all want to go to USC. Talk about loyalty.
And Hirayama is loyal indeed. She and her husband attend all home games and try to go to at least one away game each season.
It is the type of atmosphere that surrounds her work that makes her job so enjoyable. What she likes the best about her job? The people. Hirayama enjoys the interaction with people from other departments. Of course she also enjoys working with the people from her own.
"We have great players and coaches. It's a fun place to work," she said.
Another reason she is fond of about her job is the diversity of it: "Every day is different, every season is different. That part amazes me."
As for her personal feelings towards her job, she offers this: "The players, staff and their families are my extended family and I feel very lucky to work here and really enjoy being a part of something very special."
They are lucky to have you there too, Joyce.
• You can contact USCRipsIt staff writer Elaine Cruz via email.
By Elaine Cruz
USCRipsIt staff writer
Anytime you walk into the football office in Heritage Hall, you're bound to see a vibrant atmosphere. With the 2009 football season underway, it comes as no surprise that there is a lot of buzz, as well as foot traffic. And no one knows how hectic it can get in the football office more than executive administrative assistant Joyce Hirayama.
Hirayama has worked for the football department for 12 seasons -- three years longer than Coach Pete Carroll. She started her position during Coach Paul Hackett's first year leading the Trojans. She didn't start out at the university working with the football program, however. Her first job at USC was in the School of Cinematic Arts working as an assistant in the Dean's office. She got referred to the football department and has been there since.The main functions of Hirayama's job are to take care of the overall maintenance of the office and to help the assistant coaches with administrative tasks. At least that's what she did until this year.
"My job has changed this year," Hirayama says with a slight chuckle. "I have a lot more responsibility."
She goes on to explain that this is the first year in which she is directly assisting Carroll, along with assisting the other coaches. Hirayama describes that working for Carroll is a lot of fun and says there is "never a dull moment."
During the short interview for this story, Hirayama was constantly sought out by football staff and she answered every inquiry as if the answer was burned into her brain, proving how busy and important her job is. Though her environment may be one of high energy, she remains low-key, a quality which is noticeable about her personality.
Hirayama said she spends her spare time reading, being with her family and going to Disneyland. One thing about Hirayama that some may not know about is that she has an artistic nature.
"I love painting. I've been painting all my life," she says. Hirayama also hopes to one day start a business.
Other duties that she tends to in the office, apart from acting as an office manager, are knowing Carroll's schedule and making sure she keeps tabs on where he is.
"If I can catch him -- he moves fast," she said about Carroll. She also acts as an intermediary between the coaches' wives. And if this isn't all enough, she's the cheerleader of the office and is also the one that brings in the sweets. For example, she supplies all the cakes and cookies for birthdays and other special occasions.
When asked how her family feels about her job she says that they are proud and supportive of her. "They've all grown to be huge Trojan fans. They love my job. They never want me to quit," she says with a smile. Hirayama, who was born in Chicago, moved to Los Angeles before she turned five. She grew up in the South Bay area and now lives in Torrance with her husband. She has two daughters, one who lives in Torrance and the other in Seattle, as well as four grandchildren. Hirayama also has familial ties in Hawaii and makes a trip there once a year.
Hirayama's family is an athletic one. She isn't the only person in her family that has been involved in an athletic program. Her husband Dale, who is a teacher for the LAUSD, has coached high school football for 20 years. Her two daughters were both basketball players. Hirayama is very proud of working for the football department and she claims her grandchildren all want to go to USC. Talk about loyalty.
And Hirayama is loyal indeed. She and her husband attend all home games and try to go to at least one away game each season.
It is the type of atmosphere that surrounds her work that makes her job so enjoyable. What she likes the best about her job? The people. Hirayama enjoys the interaction with people from other departments. Of course she also enjoys working with the people from her own.
"We have great players and coaches. It's a fun place to work," she said.
Another reason she is fond of about her job is the diversity of it: "Every day is different, every season is different. That part amazes me."
As for her personal feelings towards her job, she offers this: "The players, staff and their families are my extended family and I feel very lucky to work here and really enjoy being a part of something very special."
They are lucky to have you there too, Joyce.
• You can contact USCRipsIt staff writer Elaine Cruz via email.
Joyce is such a positive presence in the football office! She is beyond worthy of a feature here on RipsIt.
When I was a student manager for three seasons, I was in the football office for at least a minute everyday and Joyce was always there with a smile and of course, answers, to any questions that anyone had for her (thank you, Joyce, still to this day). Everyone loves Joyce and with good reason! Best of luck to her in this new, expanded role!
I would love to have a job like Joyce's! What a great place to work and with such terrific people. I have heard such nice things about Joyce from my brother, Derick Tagawa (SC Alum), who is acquainted with her.
it must be a very rewarding job to be able to interact with nice people. if you like to be an educator or a coach, try visiting http://resumes-for-teachers.com/ for excellent resumes and get the job interview in no time