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October 25, 2002

After five

Richard Pope
Ever wonder where your co-workers are headed at the end of the day? This Inside feature catches up with university employees "after five." Photo by Gary Clarke.

Name: Richard Pope

By day, he's: Extension program specialist, department of entomology

After five, he's: Statistician, ISU football and basketball teams

Keen to crunch numbers: "That's just the way my mind works. I like seeing the structure and flow of things."

It's swell to be a stats savant: "As far as all the rules go, we have to know a lot more than the average fan. And when I'm watching other games at local establishments and someone questions a call, I win some bets."

Ever a chance to cheer?: "We're there to work the games -- we can't be fans. But I do remember four years ago against Texas, (women's basketball player) Erica Haugen passed to Megan Taylor, and Megan's shot won the game. My spotter turned around and just screamed in my ear, 'Assist 12'! It was the assist heard 'round the world.'"





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