Suiting Up Duke Football
Wes Pickell outfits players, coaches on Saturdays
Name: Wes PickellPosition: Assistant director of athletic equipment, Duke AthleticsYears at Duke: 8
Read MoreWhat I do at Duke: I mainly focus on football, where we gear out all our student-athletes with helmets, shoulder pads, cleats, shorts and pretty much any apparel and equipment they need for workouts, practice and games. Day-to-day, we launder clothes, set up drills for whatever coaches may need and on game day we clothe the entire coaching staff. I started as a student manager at the University of Tennessee football team and after my second year on campus, I got a full scholarship, along with my assistant who works with me now. When Coach Cut got the job at Duke, he offered me a job right out of school.
If I had $5 million, I would: I’d first buy my parents a one-story house since they’re getting up in age, then I’d put some money away because my wife and I have a 14-month old. I’d like to put his education to rest. I’d donate some money back to my alma mater and after that, save some.
My first ever job: I worked at the Fireworks Supermarket in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is one of the biggest fireworks stores in the country. I was a freshman or sophomore in high school when they put an ad in the paper about an energetic, friendly work environment. I worked there until in high school and in the summers until I graduated college. I actually met my wife there. She worked there, too.
My dream job: To be president of the Chicago Cubs. When I was growing up, you at the Atlanta Braves on TBS and the Cubs on WGN and my dad was a huge Braves fan, so I wanted to be a fan of someone different. The Cubs were always on TV, so I pulled for them.
If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Anything and everything sports. When we moved to North Carolina, I started following the Hurricanes. I had never followed hockey and wasn’t a fan at all, but once we went to a few games, they were a lot of fun to go to. The atmosphere is high paced, high energy and there’s constant movement.
What I love about Duke: The people. But not just in athletics, but the whole university. It’s a phenomenal group. No matter where you are, if you’re in New York or California and you tell people you work at Duke, you automatically get respect for being at a great institution with amazing people.
When I’m not at work, I like to: Spend time with my son. I enjoy going home to play with him for a few hours before he goes to bed. Walking through the door and seeing a smile on his face melts me. He’s the biggest priority right now. This summer we’re heading to the beach for a week to visit my parents, which is a big trip for him.
An interesting/memorable day at work for me: Winning the Victory Bell against North Carolina at home. I remember sitting outside our office at about 3 in the morning and people were still out there. I’ll always remember taking my son down on the field after the Pinstripe Bowl. We were standing there on the field with confetti falling on our heads and there was a huge smile on his face. It was an awesome moment.