wilbur athey, director of details
“I’ll see you in a minute,” said Wilbur Athey as he hung up the phone in the Student Activities Center and headed to my office maybe 75 yards away. Five minutes passed, then 10, then 15. Hope there’s no emergency, I thought. Wilbur and I have been friends for 20 years, and he’s always good to his word. A moment later, Collegiate’s manager of special setups and projects appeared at the door, offering an apology and explanation.
Seems that on the way over, no fewer than 3 people had nabbed him to ask a question about an upcoming event that fell within his responsibility. In his typically polite and accommodating style, he’d taken the time with each, provided the answer, soothed the anxiety. Such is a day in the life of Wilbur Athey.
“It seems like I never get where I’m going on time,” said Athey as he settled into a chair, closed the door, and enjoyed a brief respite before resuming his whirlwind day. Yet somehow he gets everything done.
Among his duties, many conducted behind the scenes, Athey is responsible for the setup and logistics for 200-plus events that occur each year. Some are relatively simple. Put a few chairs in place, haul in a table or two, plug in a mic and stick it next o a podium. Others are massive undertakings, and none provide a challenge like the Middle and Upper School graduations.
After he and his crew install risers, they place 1,500 chairs on the front lawn and another 1,500 in the athletic enter in case of inclement weather. There're a zillion other details for which he's responsible, and the shows always run like clockwork.
Set up for the Lower School final exercises in Oates Theater? Development office get-together? Outside group needs our facilities? Yep. Athey's the man. The list goes on ... and on ... and on.
Amid all the demands on his time and energy, many coming with the buzz of his pager when someone needs something done yesterday, he's unflappable, for experience has taught him not to sweat the small stuff. "The job has to be done," he says matter-of-factly. "You learn to prioritize. I do 'em as I get 'em. I've been at it so long that each year, everything seems to fall into place. It helps that I like what I do and like working with people."
Despite the time he spends on campus, Athey, a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook in Goochland County, really does have a life outside Collegiate. Not surprisingly, it's a busy one. His sidelines involve a lawn service and a hardwood floor care business. Need someone to help you move? Need a disc jockey for a party? Check with Athey.
A former star point guard at Goochland High, Athey can still run the floor with the best of them, and he also coaches two basketball teams in the county's parks and recreation youth association. Not only has he taught his charges how to conduct themselves on the court, but he's also helped them attain great success. Since 1999, his 11-12 year old team has had three undefeated seasons, and his 13-15 year olds have had two.
"I like working with kids," he said. "If I can teach them something and they can learn, then I feel like I've done a good deed." He figures he puts in 80 to 90 hours a week, yet he still has time to share with his two children, Shannon, 16, and Wilbur Jr., 12.
From the moment he arrives with the mail at 7:15 a.m. until the work is done, he's on the go, and he wouldn't have it any other way. "It's all about respect," he says. "We all have respect for each other. When you earn people's respect, you gain great friendship."
