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| Casey Brown,
building supervisor/manager, welcomes people to the Freeman Athletic Center
and helps answer any questions they may have. |
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| Posted 02.16.07 |
Part-Time Gym Job Leads to Alumnus's Career after College
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Q: Casey, what various roles do you have
at the Freeman Athletic Center?
A: As a building supervisor/manager, I try to ensure that users of
the facility are safe, welcomed, and as content as possible. I try to answer
as many questions as possible, and create a friendly environment.
Q: You’re the friendly face that greets everyone when they come into
the Freeman Athletic Center during the late afternoon hours. What do you
like about this role?
A: You mean the friendly, handsome face, thank you. I enjoy the
variety of people I am fortunate to come across everyday. It breaks down
stereotypes. Not only that, I enjoy working with the people that I’ve gotten
to know, like the student athletes. Some of them are very cool.
Q: You used to be one, yourself?
A: I did play basketball here at Wesleyan in 1996-97.
Q: When were you hired-in?
A: I was hired in part-time in 1995 while I was an undergrad
here at Wesleyan, and went full-time in 1998. I started here as the
equipment room assistant, working with Bob Chiapetta, who was the National
Equipment Manager of the Year.
Q: What did you study at Wesleyan and when did you graduate?
A: My concentrations were in African-American studies and history. I
was living like a rock star on a roadie income, and it was worth every
penny. I graduated in 1998 with my bachelor of arts. I wanted to get my
master’s too, so I did while I was working here through the Graduate Liberal
Studies Program. My concentration was in social studies and I graduated in
2001.
Q: What led you to Wesleyan?
A: I'm from New York, New York, the metropolis of the world. I
spent my first 12 years in Brooklyn and the rest in Queens. I attended New
York Public Schools until 10th grade, when I left for Phillips Academy in
Andover, Mass. I visited Wesleyan twice before attending and felt that is
was a good fit for me. Thirteen years later, I am still here.
Q: Has anything changed?
A: Actually, campus is now a lot cleaner and more aesthetically
pleasing.
Q: At work, you’ve described your role as “the guy who can help get
you what you need.” How so?
A: I've been around. I can usually save you time on your search if
you just ask. Locations, people, general info, I got you.
Q: Do you know the Freeman Athletic Center building inside and out?
Can you give an example of something about the building that no one else may
know about? Any secret rooms?
A: I know it pretty well, not as well since the expansion. There is
a room rumored to be underneath the deck of the pool. Apparently, you used
to be able to set up a camera in there to critique the divers. True? I don't
know.
Q: Do you use the gym? If so, what facilities?
A: Yes, I use the all the facilities except the squash courts. I'm
hoping to get out there soon though.
Q: Are you one of those people who live at the gym?
A: No, I don’t live in the gym, but I am here overnights sometimes.
That’s another story.
Q: Who are the key people you work with at Freeman?
A: I usually work with Kate Mullen, head coach of women’s basketball;
Richard Whitmore, associate athletic director and Bob Chiapetta, manager of
intercollegiate operations.
Q: Last question. Red Sox or Yankees?
A: I won't even dignify such a ridiculous question, or opinion.
Boston? They've been a joke all my life. Sad really, perennial losers. Even
Mets Fans have gotten off on Boston. Did you hear when I said New York is
Metropolis of the world, and Gotham too. We are Superman and Batman.
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| By
Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
editor |
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