Student IT Technician Enhances Technology for FSU Athletics
Cole Plympton, senior in information technology
Cole Plympton is a senior majoring in information technology and works part-time with Florida State University’s (FSU) athletics department as an IT technician. In his role, he plays a crucial part in troubleshooting technical issues, ensuring smooth game-day operations, and working closely with referees in FSU sports games to make sure camera feeds for replay operation are working smoothly.
In addition to the IT support he provides for the Athletics Department, Cole has fronted many projects that have helped modernize the Athletics Department’s technology. While also ensuring operations run smoothly for staff and students.
One of his most notable projects is a tablet-based conference room reservation system. Cole started this project this past summer, and it was the first project he had worked on independently. This system consists of tablets that are installed outside three conference rooms in the Athletics building that display the status of the conference room, the next meeting that will take place in the room, and a complete list of the day’s meetings. The tablet also allows staff to scan a QR code to schedule a meeting of their own. This project has made it easier for the Athletics faculty to easily figure out which rooms have already been reserved for meetings and to schedule meetings of their own.
This semester, Cole began working on another project with the Athletics Department to help modernize the baseball and soccer legacy rooms. Cole worked with the IT Department to create a tablet system in both legacy rooms that allows staff to control TV displays with information on past players and awards the team has received. Additionally, Cole has created custom graphics to be displayed on TV screens around the soccer legacy room that highlight the statistics and careers of past FSU athletes. These innovations have transformed these legacy rooms and improved the Athletics Department's technological capabilities.
Although Cole regularly works with sports and athletics now, he wasn't always a sports enthusiast. He says that working with FSU’s Athletics Department has increased his passion for both watching and working with sports.
I went from never watching a softball game to being a diehard softball fan.
His passion for sports and technology increased after he was invited to travel with FSU’s football team to Miami for the Orange Bowl, Jacksonville for their preseason camp, and most notably to Dublin, Ireland, for the team’s season-opening game. On these trips, he provided IT support and troubleshooting for FSU football’s coaches and staff.
“These trips were an amazing opportunity to go on the road and work in different environments and with other people.”
Athletics tablet-based conference room reservation system
Cole values the hands-on experience and learning opportunities that come with high-pressure situations while working with FSU’s Athletics Department. He plans to continue to work on projects for the Athletics Department through the rest of the year. One of his largest projects includes expanding his conference room reservation system to the academic department of athletics. This would allow tutors and students to reserve rooms to ensure student-athletes can efficiently schedule time to prioritize their education.
After graduating in the spring with his undergraduate degree, Cole plans on possibly staying to pursue a master's degree and continue working as an IT Technician with the Athletics Department.
I love FSU and everything it has provided for me. So, I would definitely love to stay here, and especially in this department with all my coworkers. We have a great time, even when it’s stressful.
With his technical expertise and passion for innovation, Cole is leaving a lasting impact on the FSU Athletics Department, ensuring that both staff and student-athletes have the tools they need to succeed.
