There’s more to running a Division I program than meets the eye.

The coaching staff prepares a game plan and runs the practice session. They spend time recruiting and fulfilling the media’s requests.

But that’s only a part of the overall operations. Other tasks, like coordinating team travel and scheduling the annual awards banquet, are part of the package.

And even practices need someone to record statistics and manage the equipment.

The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team has everything under control, due to three individuals who work behind the scenes. Sarah Hagedorn, Sue Meyer and Meaghan Westhus take care of the administrative duties needed to run an efficient and top-flight soccer program. They may work at a desk, but their efforts are an important part of SLU’s success on the field, as well as the team’s image away from it.

“Everyone needs assistance in certain areas, and they provide help,” said coach Dan Donigan. “They all understand the day-to-day operations of a top-10 program. Since they’re familiar with the game, the also bring their own ideas.”

Hagedorn, a senior majoring in communication, has been the manager of the men’s team for the last four years. During that time, she has “done a little bit of everything,” Donigan said.

Her duties consist of organizing recruiting files, helping prepare the equipment for games and setting up drills for practices.

Hagedorn also travels with the team. During her freshman year, she accompanied the Billikens to the Final Four, where they lost in frigid temperatures in the national semifinal.

It was so cold that her hair froze, causing former Bills player Pat Moriarty to remove the icicles.

She was also coaxed into letting the players dye her hair.

The peroxide didn’t work as planned, causing her hair to turn into a terrible orange color. But she has no regrets.

“I’ve never had any brothers,” said Hagedorn. She works on average, 15 hours per week. “Over the last four years, they’ve given me so much.”

And the players share that feeling.

“Last night, she helped Jackie (Jewsbury) out with his homework and allowed me to use her place to do laundry,” said sophomore forward Nick Walls.

Meyer heads all administrative functions in the soccer office.

She is the only full-time staff member of the three. A 1989 graduate of Northeast Missouri State University, Meyer also provides support for women’s soccer and volleyball, the tennis and swimming teams, and men’s golf.

Before coming to SLU, Meyer’s previous work experience included mid-level management positions with Famous-Barr department stores and Polo Jeans.

“Sue is the nuts and bolts of the program,” Donigan said.

“She organizes team travel and the budget-that alone is very time consuming.”

She also sets up the annual awards banquet and helps in running alumni events. Those are all part of her job responsibilities at SLU. But she does more than what’s required.

On the side, Meyer will help Donigan with his summer camps. She will play an important role by processing applications, taking care of registration, and sending out confirmation letters to the participants.

All this allows Donigan to concentrate on issues like summer recruiting.

Westhus, a junior double majoring in social work and psychology, has ties to SLU’s program. Her father, Joe, won a national championship for the Bills when he played from 1964-66. So it’s easy to imagine why Meaghan is such an avid fan.

“I grew up around SLU soccer from the time that I was in a stroller,” said Westhus.

Her duties entail data entry, mailing, and any other administrative duties that need attention. Meyer, though, insists she does much more.

“Her business skills have come in handy,” said Meyer.

“She can sell anything to anyone. And she’s totally dedicated to the team.”

“Her knowledge from her dad of the St. Louis soccer scene has also been a big help,” Meyer noted. For the last awards banquet, she took the trophies to get engraved and picked up decorations. The night before she was up until 3 a.m. preparing team photos and making a gift for Hagedorn.

None of this was asked of her.

Despite her major, Westhus wants to get into sports administration. “Working in the athletic department has defined what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said.

With these three gifted individuals giving their full effort, the soccer program has thrived.

“They sacrifice their social time because they know it’s very instrumental to our program,” Donigan said.