![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2021\/09\/control-room.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
During his time at Chapman, Ian Decker was the water polo team\u2019s last line of defense. As a goaltender, it comes down to your ability to control the situation and adjust to the incoming attack, much like the role of a Technical Director (TD).<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most important parts of working live events is the ability to maintain composure when things don\u2019t go as planned,\u201d stated Decker. You must make adjustments as needed, which was a skill that I developed primarily through sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Decker no longer has control over the events occurring in the Allred Olympic Pool, but instead is the vital hand in running the production video switcher located in an unparalleled sports and entertainment hub, SoFi Stadium.<\/p>\n
SoFi Stadium, the new home of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams, hosts a unique and immersive fan experience. As the Technical Director for both the Rams and Chargers, Decker has played a huge part in re-imagining and shaping what that fan experience has become over the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had the opportunity to help set up new stadiums such as Banc of California Stadium, or be a part of updating iconic ones such as the Coliseum or LSU\u2019s tiger stadium,\u201d said Decker. \u201cIn the 2018-2019 NFL season I was hired to provide event support for the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, and by the end of that season I was confident that I belonged on the in-person side of sports entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Decker majored in Television and Broadcast Journalism at Chapman University\u2019s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. He started as a camera operator for live sports when he was a freshman working with the Big West Conference to broadcast games on ESPN\u2019s digital platform. He eventually became the TD of the broadcast which opened many doors for him moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve ever seen a clip of a live broadcast where the director is yelling \u201cReady camera 5, Cut to camera 5!\u201d I\u2019m the person they\u2019re yelling at,\u201d said Decker. \u201cI have a board with hundreds of buttons that have all been programmed for specific effects, whether it be cutting between cameras, transitioning in and out of replays, bringing different graphics on screen, or creating composites of different video sources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being a Chapman athlete on the men\u2019s water polo team helped Decker shape mental skills that are vital in his ability to perform his job today. His dedication to preparation allowed him to succeed in the pool and now propels him to success when the lights are on and the football game begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo much of the process and mentality required for athletic success has translated to my current line of work. Preparation for each show is vital, practicing sequences, sharpening fundamental skills, and identifying potential challenges are an imperative part of every show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Decker has a large hand in the functionality of all in-venue games at SoFi, down to the ability of the coaches to access replays quickly to challenge a call. His years in the pool helped him craft the mentality and work ethic needed to excel in the fast paced environment that is live production.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former men’s water polo goaltender Ian Decker now works as the technical director at SoFi stadium<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3496,"featured_media":7258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"custom_author_name":"","chapman_pin_hero_slider":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n