Name: John Sautter

Gig: Visiting men’s basketball team host

Years on the job: 37 (that’s close to 550 games!)

On duty: Serve as go-to person for questions, requests, or situations, which means I sit outside the visiting team locker room where I hear coaches’ pregame and postgame talks. During the game, I sit behind the visitors’ bench. 

You’d never guess: I have more than 150 letters from coaches. My favorites are from Jud Heathcoat, Michigan State’s coach (1976–1995): “Dear John, Thanks so much for your kind hospitality. Nothing changes at Purdue … you greet us with a smile, a handshake, and Gene Keady always greets us with a snarl and a win.”

I’ll never forget: When legendary Indiana University coach Bobby Knight left IU’s athletic director at Mackey after a disappointing two-point loss. I rushed him to the airport and drove him out on the tarmac to catch the plane.  

What I’ve learned: I originally took the position to gain material for speeches I was giving on leadership and motivation. I thought I would do it for five years and move on. But I found my interactions with coaches and team staffs to be so interesting. I’ve made many friends on almost all Big Ten teams. They enjoy seeing a familiar face.