Fresno State Athletics
Michelle Hunter Assists Development Staff In Cultivating Relationships
8/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 3, 2005
FRESNO, Calif.- Michelle Hunter says she was first introduced to the concept of "cultivating relationships" when she joined the Fresno State development staff as an administrative assistant.
Those who know her best contend she has been doing just that throughout her professional career.
Even though Hunter has spent a limited amount of time in the athletics department (basically a year), she is definitely not a new face on the Fresno State campus. In 1989, Hunter got her start as a foundation employee in the Engineering Research Institute and worked in that capacity for four years. She later moved over to the Agriculture Department and worked with Fresno State's Future Farmer's of America (FFA) organization.
A couple years later, a position became available in the Office of the President. Hunter began working in the office as a receptionist and before she departed eight years later, she was serving in an administrative assistant role and handled all scheduling and travel for University President Dr. John D. Welty.
It was at that point when Hunter moved over to the North Gym, serving as an administrative assistant in development.
Through all the changes, one thing has remained constant. Hunter has excelled at something people tend to take for granted in the workplace- the ability to develop a lasting relationship with the individuals she comes in contact with on a daily basis.
"I have found that a lot of donors on the university side also help out on the athletics side, so I've been to fortunate to get to know a lot of those people," said Hunter. "I have become familiar with them. That's why I felt comfortable coming over to this side (referring to athletics department). I knew I would be able to keep that interaction and that was very important to me."
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The majority of Hunter's career at Fresno State has associated her with the university side of life, but Welty confirms what most people who know Hunter have realized for quite a while: "Michelle has long had a love for Bulldog athletics!"
And her passion for Fresno State sports, coupled with an extensive university background and familiarity with the community, has made the transition to athletics a smooth one. As the administrative assistant for development, Hunter oversees all day-to-day aspects of the office, coordinates scheduling and events while providing support to donors.
"I really try to keep Greg on task- and that can be tough at times," said Hunter, referring to Greg Walaitis, Fresno State's Associate Athletics Director for Development. "He's in great demand and has only so much time in the day. Working with the Athletics Development Council (ADC) is a priority right now for our staff, as is getting all sports clubs, boosters and volunteer groups working under one umbrella toward a common goal."
"Michelle is my `guide'. I don't go anywhere without asking her how to get there or where to go," said Walaitis, who joined the Bulldog athletic department in June 2004. "She has been of great assistance to me in getting to places on time instead of being lost around town. In addition, she is a friendly face to donors and fans. Michelle's experience has allowed her to provide the highest level of customer service that the development office is trying to establish. She acts as the gatekeeper to everything in the Duncan Building. Nothing goes on without Michelle knowing about it!"
Gena Strang, a three-time All-American and four-time All-Conference standout as a member of the Fresno State softball team, joined the development staff as an assistant director last month. Even with her familiarity of the Bulldog athletic department, she acknowledged that Hunter has made her feel at home...again.
"From the first day I was here interviewing for the position, Michelle made me feel welcome," said Strang. "When I started, she took me around and introduced me to everyone and that helped with the transition. Michelle truly makes everyone feel welcome. Development is so much about building relationships and she is a pro at making people feel comfortable in our office."
In just one year with the development office, Hunter has been involved with a number of high-profile events, including the opening of the Ricchiuti Academic Strength and Conditioning Center and Duncan Building expansion in January 2005. However, events of ribbon-cutting magnitude are nothing new for Hunter, who also played an integral role in planning the grand opening ceremony of the Save Mart Center.
"It was interesting to see all of the stages in the construction of the building," said Hunter. "I remember helping with the groundbreaking and it seemed like shortly after that, President Welty was hosting the grand opening. I helped coordinate weekly planning meetings with the architects and Pepsi and Save Mart Center groups. The gala was an absolutely wonderful event and it was an honor to be a part of something like that."
 Hunter is pictured here staring into a mirror that hangs on the infamous, yet unique "red wall" of her office.  |
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Now she looks forward to participating in future events with the development staff.
"We've also had some receptions for new coaches and those have been successful," explained Hunter. "Simone (women's tennis assistant coach Simone Jardim) was telling me the reception we had one night for tennis brought in more money than the previous year altogether. People like to be recognized and noticed but they don't do it necessarily to get a pat on the back. However, it's nice to give them a pat on the back."
And as Hunter confesses, she enjoys getting to work with former Bulldog football coach Jim Sweeney.
"That's a neat thing for me," laughs Hunter, who lives in Fresno with her husband, Darrel. "I had never met him before. When I was told he was coming, people were telling me he would be hard to work with so I was a little nervous. Not true. He is such a nice man and always looking to help people. It's enlightening to hear his stories or listen to visitors when they come into the office. He is close to his kids and family and I enjoy having him around."
Some people might assume that working in an athletic department setting is completely different than working in the president's office. While the atmosphere has indeed represented a change, Hunter sees similarities. As she puts it, "Because President Welty is ultimately in charge of the entire university, if anything ever happens on the athletics side our office would be the first to know."
When Hunter first joined the development staff last summer, she was stationed in the North Gym where she shared an office with administrative assistant Hilda Fong.
"I do miss the North Gym because of the interaction you get with being around the student-athletes," said Hunter. "When I shared an office with Hilda, a lot of the student-athletes would stop by and visit. It was nice to see how much they depend on a coach or staff member to help them through their day, even if it's just to lend an ear. That's something you don't experience working in the president's office."
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Even out of the office, Hunter remains busy cultivating relationships with another group.
Hunter's daughter, Heather, will be entering her junior year at Clovis East High School and is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad. As secretary of the school's pep and cheer booster club, Hunter does her best to stay involved with her daughter's activities. So when Clovis East's football team travels to Texas in September to square off against three-time state champion Midland Lee High School, the varsity cheerleaders will also make the trip. That means mom gets a chance to accompany daughter.
"She's scared to fly so I'm going with her," is how Hunter justifies the trip as she smiles. "There are activities (trip to museum, line dancing) leading up to the game so it should really be a great experience for all the kids."
Which leads to the next question. That game is scheduled to take place during the first month of the Fresno State football season.
Does that mean Hunter- a diehard Bulldog fan who has done everything from assisting at Silicon Valley Bowl tailgates to scheduling travel for the men's basketball program when working for a travel agency- might be forced to miss one of the Bulldog's five home games?
"I've already got that figured out," Hunter says flipping through the calendar. "Lucky for us, we play Toledo on a Tuesday and then have the week off. So we'll just leave for Texas on Wednesday or Thursday."
Spoken like a true Bulldog fan.
