Steelers VP/Stadium Operations & Management JIM SACCO is all business this weekend as he oversees Heinz Field for the team’s Wild Card game against the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. “I oversee the whole operation of the building -- inside and outside. I help get the building prepared, etc.,” Sacco said. “Getting the building up and ready in an operation manner. You have to deal with weather. You have to deal with traffic, and all the planning stage of everything.”
PREPARED WELL DONE: No. 1, you plan your week accordingly so you have everything done in stages. So you’re ready to go. This will allow yourself time in case there’s any surprises that come up whether it be mother nature or something that changes at the last minute. You’re basically keeping your head clean, make sure you stay healthy, eating a good meal and getting enough rest. You really don’t think about stuff like (de-stressing), but you do spend time with your family and friends whether it’s at your home or a local restaurant. There’s a local restaurant by the stadium that a number of us go to called Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: This job is always 24/7 because you have to be on top of it in case you get hit with a snow storm or something surprising happens in the venue, but you plan accordingly. You cover all your bases with your staff, and I salute my staff because they’re what makes it work. I’ll be at work during the day Saturday, and with no unexpected surprises at the venue, I’ll go see my daughter play basketball. That’ll be my kind of stress release. She plays grade school basketball, and they’re in a tournament this weekend. It’ll be fun to go see them play.
ALL HANDS ON DECK: It starts early in the morning and you check with all your department heads to make sure everything is in place. You check with the reps from the league, and you just be ready in case there’s anything you need to do. You just have to be on top of your game and be able to deal with any unexpected surprises that might arise. There’s a little bit more that goes into it (because it’s a playoff game) in details and all that, but it’s a normal game plan like every other week because you’re dealing with the same things. It can snow anytime really.
OFFSEASON SPECTACLES: I love music so I like going to concerts. I listen to just about anything. I like all genres. I haven’t been to one in the past couple months so I can’t remember who I saw last, but it could have been anybody from KENNY CHESNEY to THE ROLLING STONES to GUNS N' ROSES or BRUNO MARS.
