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Mark Gorski has known for months that weeks like this one were coming.

With Arizona State fall sports — except football — postponed until this semester because of the coronavirus pandemic, the work load during what already is ASU’s busiest time of the school year only would increase.

So even before baseball, softball and soccer start their seasons and with wrestling currently on hold due to COVID-19 protocol, ASU is hosting five events at Desert Financial Arena from Thursday-Saturday in addition to a tennis meet on Sunday. 

All fall under the responsibility of Gorski, ASU athletic facilities maintenance coordinator, who will direct a team of 12 to 15 people in setting up the venues and keeping them clean to meet COVID guidelines.

Gorski’s next four works days will go something like this:

Thursday

  • 6:30-7 a.m. — Set up arena for volleyball.
  • Noon — ASU volleyball vs. Washington State.
  • 2-3 p.m. — Set up arena for basketball.
  • 4 p.m. — Check on Whiteman Tennis Center set up. 
  • 6 p.m. — ASU men’s tennis vs. Florida Atlantic (originally scheduled for Friday but changed to rain forecast).
  • 9 p.m. — ASU men’s basketball vs. California.
  • Midnight or later — End of work day. 

Friday

  • 5 a.m.-noon — Set up arena for gymnastics.
  • 5 p.m. — ASU gymnastics vs. Oregon State.
  • 7-10 p.m. — Take down gymnastics equipment.

Saturday

  • 6:30-7 a.m. — Set up arena for volleyball.
  • 11 a.m. — ASU volleyball vs. Washington State.
  • 1-2 p.m. — Set up arena for basketball.
  • 8 p.m. — ASU men’s basketball vs. Stanford.
  • 11 p.m. or later — End of work day.

Sunday

  • Morning — Set up Whiteman Tennis Center. 
  • Noon — ASU women’s tennis vs. NAU.

It’s approximately 86 hours that won’t include much sleep for the 27-year-old Gorski and will be repeated through April. From Feb. 2-7 alone, ASU is hosting 16 events in eight sports, including the only home hockey games in an otherwise all-road schedule.

“We’ve been preparing as much as we can,” Gorski said. “The spring is always a big stress around the arena with all the flips, this one especially because of the additional sports going on. I have as many of my student workers on hand this weekend as I can. More hands make light work. We’re trying to staff appropriately and hope everything goes smoothly.

“The most difficult element is incorporating (COVID-19 precautions) into an already busy schedule. Obviously it’s the upmost importance that everything stay clean and sanitized. So making sure everybody pays attention to safety and wearing their masks when we’re spraying, so there’s no cross contamination.”

ASU is only allowing a limited number of spectators (primarily family and friends) due to COVID-19. Otherwise the facility work would be even more daunting.

ASU has multiple supervisors and crews for its athletic facilities, all of whom assist others when needed.

“I’m getting help from the football crew and softball crew this weekend,” said Gorski, now in his sixth year working in ASU facilities starting when he was a student. “Whoever isn’t busy, we pool the the resources together to might these tight turnarounds happens. We somehow always get it done. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy it. Weird as that sounds, it makes for an entertaining time. It’s very rewarding to see what can be done especially on weekends like this is a very challenging year.”

More: Ray Anderson to remain at ASU, will not pursue Pac-12 commissioner job

More: No team meals, more chartered flights: How COVID-19 is changing ASU basketball

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8053. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.

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