Behind the Scenes: Meet Sherry Butler

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Sherry Butler
Administrative Assistant
Years at Akron- 37
Pursuing a B.S in Education (University of Akron)

What was the deciding factor that brought you to UA?
I started at UA right out of high school as a student.  In my family, it was not an option to go away to school, and UA was 10 minutes from my home so, I became a commuter student.  Then, in my second year, I started dating my husband, got engaged and married.  I needed to get a fulltime job, so I applied for a position on campus.  That way, my husband could continue his education on the benefit employees have where dependents can go to school for free.  I have been at UA for 37 years and have seen my husband, son, and daughter all receive their degrees from UA.

How has your position changed over the years?
I have had many positions over the years.  I was in Physical Facilities, Student Financial Aid, Audio Visual, Law School and, finally, Athletics, where I have been for 23 years.  When I first started in Athletics, it was a newly created position as administrative assistant for the Olympic Sports– track & field, men's & women's Soccer, baseball, volleyball, men's golf, women's tennis, and women's basketball.  All offices were in JAR 176 & 178 except golf & tennis.  I had a small cubicle and right behind me was Brian Forrester in another small cubicle.  We barely had room to move our chairs in/out. Then in 2004, the new AD swapped me and the FB administrative assistant.  I was thrust into an environment I knew nothing about.  There was no recruiting, player personnel, operations positions – those were all added responsibilities to the position coaches.  There were only two GAs and no part-time employees.  I did a lot of mailings for recruiting and assisted the coaches with items that needed done for practices/game day, items the current GAs and part-time employees now do.  Then in 2015, the University cut some positions and the administrative assistant for Olympic Sports was no longer a position.  I ended up taking on her responsibilities as well as my own.

What are your current responsibilities?
Currently, I am the administrative assistant for every area in the field house as well as baseball.  I have 11 sports which I assist with, as well as the weight room, trainers, and equipment room.  I order all office and any other supplies, do the mail, home contracts, schedules, calendars, camps, home football game recruiting events, gift bags for official recruiting visits, cash advance requests, expense reports, printing, letters, laminating, monitor email for football recruits, student assistants and part-time employee supervisor, and copier technician for minor repairs.  I am also responsible for verifying credit card receipts for 19 credit cards for the purchasing department.  And … anything else that needs done, and I may have forgotten to add!

What have you learned during your time on campus?
I have seen a lot of things change during my time on campus. All the new buildings and landscaping.  The most important thing I have learned, I think, is to cultivate relationships with people in other departments.  In order to do my job effectively, I need to interact with other departments, and if I have a relationship with someone in that department, it makes my job go smoother.

Do you have a favorite memory to share?
I don't know if I can choose just one favorite memory. I loved the Turkey Day game on Thanksgiving Day in 2005.  Akron played Kent State on Thanksgiving morning.  That had to have been the coldest game I was ever at.  It became the snow bowl as the field was covered in snow.  I ended up only staying until half-time!  But, Akron won the game and the MAC East Championship and went to Ford Field for the MAC Championship against Northern Illinois.  That game will have to be a favorite memory, also.  Alumni put fan buses together to go to Detroit for the game.  I rode a bus up, we partied before the game at a restaurant in the stadium.  Akron was losing the game and with less than 10 seconds left Luke Getsy hit Domenik Hixon for the winning touchdown! It was so exciting!  Even though the games are exciting to win, another favorite memory is the athletes.  I love getting to know the athletes and when they come back to campus and stop in to see me, it just makes my job so worthwhile.  I love hearing where their life as taken them since they were ZIPS athletes.  Just this past basketball season, I was at the game where Romeo Travis was honored and while sitting in the stands, a former football player, Bryan Williams, saw me and came over to give me a hug and talk with me.  I have other memories with Domenik Hixon, Charlie Frye, and Jabari Arthur to name a few.  And, I can't forget the memories with the many different coaches I have met over the years.  I still hear from some of them and that always brightens my day.

What advice would you give to a college student who wants to pursue a career in collegiate athletics?
I would tell them to make sure they are passionate about their choice, ready to put in the work and put in the time to make sure they choose the right path for themselves, whether it is the college, major, etc.  Being a college student and athlete takes a lot of time and time management.  Whether you are the most talented athlete on the team or a bench warmer, you have to learn to juggle practices, games, weight training, classes, and studies.  You are a big family, with the coaches and trainers as your parents and the team as your brothers/sisters.  Pursuing a career in collegiate athletics is not for the weak and should not be chosen lightly.

What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
I think, seeing the athletes after their time here as ZIPS and what they accomplished after they moved on makes me the most proud, and knowing, hoping, I had a small part in that.

Anything you'd like to add:
I have so enjoyed my 37 years as a member of the ZIPS community.  I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly.  I think working in the Athletics Department has helped keep my young, and I am going to miss that as I consider retirement.

The University of Akron Athletics

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