 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Photo by Brett Stanley/The Advocate
The 'sweetest' Saint bids adieu
Jan Sweet hits the road to Arizona after
21 years of dedicated service to MHCC athletics
The Advocate
After 21 years of dedicated service, Athletics Administrative Secretary Jan Sweet retired Tuesday.
“It is just my time to go and I am at peace with my decision,” said Sweet.
Sweet came to Mt. Hood after living 30 years down in Santa Barbara, Calif.
She moved to Oregon because her husband Gene transferred to the Northwest to work for the National Forest Service. In January 1989, Sweet was hired on at MHCC as a part-time clerk and signed a ten-month contract.
“I was a clerk in the Health and Physical Education Department when Bruce Turner was here,” said Sweet.
Sweet moved into the full-time secretary position in the 1994-95 year when long time Athletic Secretary Betty Jones retired and nobody wanted her job but Sweet.
“Nobody was interested in the position,” said Sweet. “There was a lot of cross-over in our positions and I was the only one interested. I knew so much about the position because of how close we worked together. I have been doing it ever since.”
Over the years, Sweet has made many friends but one of her closest friends is Fred Schnell, who is health and physical education instructor and was hired the same year as Sweet.
“When I first got hired, she was a receptionist,” said Schnell. “When I began coaching, Jan helped me with anything that needed to be done. From the scheduling, doing rosters, it didn’t matter — she did it.”
Schnell and Sweet became close friends, sharing many moments in each other’s lives. Many occurred when Schnell became the athletic director, which put them working side-by-side.
“We have shared birthday parties,” said Schnell. “We both lived in Sandy, raised our families together. She was there when I needed her most. She was my support system when I got divorced and then re-married two years later.
She was there for me when I needed her to be. She was even in my second wedding. It will be sad to see her go because I’m losing a close friend. It will be hard not seeing her every day and getting to catch up. I will miss her.”
Sweet’s said her goal was to make her job fun and wasn’t all about work. More importantly, she said she was working for the students in the athletic programs.
As for women’s volleyball Head Coach Chelsie Freeman, it has been a big change for her.
“It has been crazy,” she said. “I have known her since 2001 — when I was a player, and an assistant, and now being the head coach. She has been like a motherly figure to me for so long it is weird she is not going to be here anymore.”
Sweet said, “The kids made me get up in the morning. Athletes are a special breed of people because they are a team. There is such an emphasis on the word team here. It sets them apart and makes me want to help them.
“These kids are like my children and grandchildren. If these kids had any issues they come straight into my office and we just talk. There have been many tears shed in here. They made me want to come in every morning and do what I do.”
Schnell said, “I always told Jan she is an enabler. She helps all the coaches out and covered for us and still does it. She knows all the policies and procedures and she would tell us what to do and we did it. As coaches we were supposed to know how to do a lot of things and she would always just do them for us.
“As an athletic department, I think we are going to struggle and it will be a process because we are losing someone that was so dedicated to this program and the kids it will be tough,” he said. “Coaches will have to learn things they didn’t have to do because she helped do it for them. She cared so much about this program. She would do anything that needed to be done.”
Freeman said, “She kept on top of us (coaches) to turn our paper work in, making sure we stick to our budgets. I think a lot of people took for granted how much work she does for us. It will be a struggle to fill her position but we will eventually figure it out.”
As for why Sweet is leaving with such short notice, she feels it was just time to go.
“It is not difficult for me to leave under these conditions,” said Sweet. “Due to my husband.s health issues, and him being down in Arizona already where I plan to retire, and with how the reorganization has gone starting with Rob (Nielson), it just feels like it’s my time to go.”
Through the years, Sweet has made many different bonds and she said she has been committed to the MHCC Athletic Department.
“I think people know I am committed and have passion for my job,” Sweet said. “I feel like I don’t have an enemy in the world and all I wanted to do was come to school and work with a smile. Everything I did was for the kids and it has meant the world to me to form the relationships I have had over the years.”
Some key memories for Sweet was when she won her Outstanding Support Staff award in 1993.
“I am usually never at a loss for words,” said Sweet. “But I was at that moment. Everything has been a highlight for me. From attending baseball championships games, basketball games, softball games. Everything has been great for me.”
But the biggest moment for Sweet was when Brian Burres, (a former MHCC baseball player now pitching in the major leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates) gave her a surprise.
“Brian brought me flowers in a vase and thanked me personally for getting him eligible to play baseball. It touched me and made me realize what I was doing mattered and it was a reason why I care so much for these kids that I kept going.”
As for Sweet’s plans, she just looks to spend time in Arizona with her family.
“I can’t wait to get down there and spend time with my family,” said Sweet.
“My husband I hope to travel around the country because there is so much to see. We have plans to just get on our bike and ride.”
As for when she walks out of her office for the last time, Sweet says it will be one of the strangest feelings she will ever have.
“I will just reflect on the time I have spent here,” she said. “It will be weird looking at all the pictures and banners I have been a part of. I am proud of what I have accomplished and happy with how much I have been a part of these kids’ lives.”
Even with Sweet gone, Schnell looks to engrave Sweet’s name in NWAACC history books.
“She was willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. She took work home, spent long hours working here and after 21 years of service I cannot wait to nominate her for the NWAACC Hall of Fame. She deserves it.”
As for everything that has happened throughout her career, Sweet can say it is the right time for her to leave.
“I am at peace with what I have to do and will miss everyone,” she said. “This place was like my family for so long and still is. It is hard to go but I am okay with it.”
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.
Comments