Sports Authorities all across the country are closing down due to company bankruptcy. The company that used to thrive in my small mountain town could no longer sustain itself. After a bidding period that took place after filing bankruptcy, a liquidation company took home the prize (and are making as much money as they can off of this venture).

As a freshman in college returning home for the summer, finding summer jobs in a community that is known for its winters isn’t so easy. I was looking for a job that was all right with me leaving in late August, and I truly had no luck. That was until my brother informed me that Sports Authority was hiring and staying open until late August (a match made in heaven, really).

My brother has actually been working at Sports Authority for four or so years and he has loved it and thrived there. I thought starting at the same job as my brother might be a bit awkward, but really, it's been a great opportunity for me to see him and build a really great relationship.

Working for a company that is no longer even owned by itself (since it is now all property of the liquidators) is a little bit weird, sad, and kinda eerie. This is a little glimpse into what its like to work for Sports Authority in its last moments.

First off, people think that since we are closing down, it's fine to steal. I have found more alarm tags in the dressing rooms than at any other retail job I've ever had. It's interesting to look at the psychology behind these people who are blatantly stealing from this company simply because it's shutting down. It seems as though, suddenly, stealing is morally right. I guess all the yellow signs in the huge sign outside that says "Store Closing!!" attracts a lot of sly characters. I just wish people would continue to respect the company even though it is closing, especially since I'm the one who has to pick up all those tags after a shoplifter cruises through.

I also constantly get job offers or condolences for losing my job. I always smile and nod and then inform patrons that I’m actually off to sophomore year in college right about the time when the store officially shuts down. It is nice to know that people care abut what happens to all of us red-shirted employees. On the other hand, I get tons of people wondering if we are the only store closing (which blows my mind considering all the news stories about the fallout) and I have to say, yet again, that I’m losing my job and that so is everyone else all around the country.

But hey, my co-workers are all pretty laid back considering all we have to do is try to sell everything in the store. There are no returns, no exchanges, no ordering in different sizes, just plain and simple buying clothes and equipment and even fixtures (yes, that includes the dressing rooms). Working with people who are losing their jobs is a bit of a downer, but all of my coworkers are optimistic and fun and are just riding out these last few months in good spirits. (Then again, I haven't met a lot of great potential coworkers since quitting is one of the best options right now.)

A downside to this job is that we have little to no control over the merchandise and a lot of customers get pretty angry with us for that. A few months ago, before bankruptcy struck the company, giving someone 25 percent off that pair of shoes that was labeled as such but only had 10 percent off when scanned was no big deal, but with all the rearranging and prices dropping rapidly, many of the signs around the store are messed up. Even though we might mess up signs and such, there is no possible way to override the prices that ring up. It leaves us with tons of go-backs from unsatisfied customers.

There are no longer loyalty cards or employee discounts. Many people are finding themselves stuck with money on their loyalty cards that they can’t get off. It's kind of a sour deal for patrons who are just a month too late to redeem all their money, or coupons, et cetera. As an employee, I pretty much have no benefits, except for two days where I get an extra 15 percent off merchandise. I’m fine not having a discount, but I still am an employee and never got to experience the greatness that Sports Authority once had.

Working for a bankrupt company in its final hours certainly has been a learning curve for me, but I’m mostly enjoying the relationships it is helping me build. We are all in this together like little fish stuck in a giant corporate fish tank that’s slowly, but surely, being dumped into the vastness of the ocean.

I won’t ever regret working for Sports Authority; I just wish I had applied and worked there sooner. It's a great place and ultimately, I'm just sad to let it go.