For University of Oregon student and football equipment manager Mitchell Godfrey, his entry point into college football came after a medical issue in high school ended his ability to participate in sports. Unable to play, Godfrey found another way to stay connected to the game: working in equipment. The decision that eventually brought him inside one of college football’s most recognizable programs.

“I just knew that going to college, I wanted to be somewhere outside of California,” Godfrey said. “I was really into sports, and Oregon stood out with sports business and Nike right up in Beaverton.”

Through a connection with former Oregon offensive lineman Steven Jones, Godfrey secured an interview with longtime Oregon Football Equipment Administrator Kenny Farr in July before his freshman year. He moved to Eugene shortly after and has now spent five seasons with the program.

As his time with the program nears its end, Godfrey acknowledged how meaningful the experience has been. He recently gave a senior-day speech to his equipment staff group, becoming emotional at the thought of leaving.

“I was honestly almost in tears because this place has meant a lot to me,” Godfrey said. “Soaking it in one last time, just all traditions, the standard of Oregon, there’s a different expectation when people think of equipment.”

Godfrey described that the appeal of working with Oregon athletics, specifically football, gives him a reason to keep going every day.

“If I’m able to do something that helps a whole organization succeed, then I find that my purpose is to do it,” Godfrey said.

The work, however, is far from light. During the season, Godfrey’s schedule reflects the intensity of the high-level demands of college football. A recent week of preparation ending with the game against Washington was intense.

From Monday through Thursday, Godfrey prepared for the game with daily practices and equipment setup. He ensured that the team’s equipment truck was fully stocked on Thursday. After a walkthrough on Friday morning, his team of 13 students bused for five hours to Seattle. On Saturday, he arrived at Husky Stadium at 7:00 a.m. for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff, worked the game and then traveled five hours back to Eugene, unloading the truck around midnight before returning home around 1:00 a.m.

“It’s a lot of hours, but it’s good when we get a win,” Godfrey said.

Godfrey, who is a School of Journalism and Communication student completing his advertising major and sports business minor, noted that time management was one of the biggest challenges early on. 

“Working with the football team is a grind,” he said. “I struggled academically my first year, but it taught me how to manage my time.”

The demanding schedule also limits how often Godfrey is able to see his family, who live in California. Despite the distance, he said the program has allowed them to stay connected through travel opportunities, including complimentary tickets that allow family members to attend games.

“I don’t get to see my family a lot, sadly, but I try to always spend time to myself and hang out with friends,” Godfrey said. “I definitely say the people I spend time with at work, they’re like my second family.”

Godfrey’s responsibilities vary depending on the day. As a student equipment manager, he specializes in staff apparel — that means ensuring coaches’ clothing, shoes and gear are packed, organized and ready for practices and game days. During practices, he works directly with the offensive line, setting up drills and spotting the ball.

Outside the season, the workload lightens but remains steady. Equipment rooms are reorganized, laundry continues for team lifts and conditioning and the staff prepares for the next cycle.

Getting to travel wherever Oregon football goes is one of Godfrey’s favorite aspects of the job. All expenses are covered when equipment staff travels with the team, allowing him to visit places he never expected.

Even with travel perks and getting supplied with his own Oregon gear, Godfrey emphasized that the program values connections over material benefits. 

“It’s not about getting rich,” he said. “It’s about the connections. After this, I’ll be able to reach out to my boss and ask for help getting a job anywhere.”

With graduation approaching, he hopes to continue working in equipment, potentially at the professional level.

“I’m trying to stay in equipment somewhere, maybe the NFL,” Godfrey said. “We’ll see what happens when more jobs open up.”

Within the program, Godfrey said the equipment staff functions as a close-knit group. Coaches often interact with them daily, and some even invite staff to off-field events. Fridays before home games, Godfrey plays basketball with a handful of coaches, sports science staff and fellow managers. Still, professionalism remains a priority. 

“We don’t try to be best friends with players … but they’re good people,” he said. “People forget they’re just humans too, like the rest of us.”

The expectations within Oregon’s equipment program are high, reflecting the national attention the Ducks receive for uniforms and presentation. 

“People look up to what Oregon does each week,” Godfrey said. “We always try to make sure our helmets are looking the best, whether it’s decals or even make sure there’s not wrinkles or whatnot. We want coach (Dan) Lanning and his staff to look good on game day, so we kind of take pride in everything.”

For students who want to work in sports despite not being able to play, Godfrey offered simple advice.

“You’re not gonna be right at the top right away, and that’s okay,” Godfrey said. “There’s gonna be times you’re gonna have to do jobs that no one likes, but the best people are the ones that are willing to do whatever job it is.”