Following my first Miami Open Tennis Tournament volunteer experience in 2014, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as March approached I found the urge to return for the 2015 tournament irresistible. Last year, I wrote a brief diary of my days as a volunteer for this publication. Feeling now slightly seasoned, I want to share from a different perspective.

During my 2014 volunteer experience, call it a volunteering reconnaissance mission, I evaluated the many potential tasks one could sign on for during the two weeks of tournament play. Having this insider information, the decision for this year’s sign-up was an easy one. The stadium ticket checker was my only choice. For me, the thrill is all about watching these amazing athletes play the game I love. As a ticket checker, I would be stationed in the # 100 seat areas- close to Center Court and all the action.

The ticket checker group is the largest of all the volunteer areas. There are three shifts daily, and each shift requires 82 volunteers for coverage. The majority of volunteers work two shifts daily, some three and some just one. Approximately 180 ticket checkers are needed daily for shift coverage, and the total number in the checker group is 250. The actual work requires standing on concrete, mostly in the sun, and ensuring that those with valid tickets get to the seats they paid for and also addressing any disturbance that would interfere with the play of the game and enjoyment of the participants. The people who come to see the game are polite and are there to see and appreciate the matches.  Overall, some fatigue from standing and enduring the elements was a small price to pay to see the Williams sisters, Rafael Nadal, John Isner, and all the others up close and personal.

Equal to the joy of watching the players was the catching up with other volunteers I had met and spent time with last year. Many volunteers have been returning for decades, and each year brings new faces. Everyone is friendly and willing to share advice and tips to make the work go as smoothly as possible. Having looked into other tennis tournaments, the volunteer benefits in Miami are among the best and most generous. I’m sure that has a lot to do with the loyalty many of the volunteers voice.

 The other volunteer areas include transportation, media, floaters, security, section monitors, registration, and several others. Each area seems to fit some volunteers’ needs and interest, while they also provide what the tournament needs to run well.

Chances are I will be purchasing another plane ticket next March!