Living a Dream
SLIPPERY ROCK — Emily Skoczlas tried to play it cool.
During her interview at Duke University for a job in the school's facilities department, she struggled to hide her fandom.
When asked if she wanted to tour Cameron Indoor Stadium, Skoczlas nodded nonchalantly and asked, “Is that where they play basketball?”
Deep inside she cringed.
Of course she knew that.
The Slippery Rock High graduate had been a fan of the Blue Devils since she was 15 when she shed the red and black of her Chicago Bulls jacket for the navy blue and white of a Duke hoodie.
“I was borderline obsessed with Duke,” Skoczlas said, chuckling. “I didn't want them to think I just wanted to work there because I was a fan, so I tried to pretend it was no big deal to me. All they had to do was check out my Facebook page to know I was lying.”
Skoczlas had already accepted a similar position at Mount Oliver College, about a two hour drive south from Durham.
Three days into her employment there, Duke called and offered her the job.
“I told them on the spot, 'Yes,'” Skoczlas said. “Nothing was keeping me from that. I went to my supervisor and poured my heart out. I always believe you have to do what's best for you and nothing was going to stop me from taking that job at Duke.”
Mount Oliver was understanding and Skoczlas had her dream job.
She remembered attending her first Duke game at Cameron in 2008 and wandering next door to the facilities building and taking a picture in front of it.
Skoczlas made the comment that was where she was going to work someday.
Five years later that prediction came true.
Last July, Skoczlas was promoted to the title of Assistant Director of Facilities and Reservations.
The job keeps her busy. In addition to making sure the athletic facilities are running smoothly, she also is in charge of processing the large amount of reservation requests for use of the facilities.
“I was just doing the math and last year I dealt with almost 7,000 reservations,” Skoczlas said. “Until I finally do the stats, I have no idea the numbers are that huge.”
Skoczlas played basketball at Slippery Rock High and was a self-proclaimed “gym rat” during her days there.She received her undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock University in 2009 and her master's degree in sports management from California (Pa.) University in 2013.For three years she worked at the Aebersold recreation Center under the late Posey Rhoads in the intramural department.She said she owed Rhoads more than she could express in words for preparing her, not for her current job, but for life in general.“He was a special man,” she said.Skoczlas has a staff of 35 part time employees to help her. They range in ages from 18 to 84.“It's actually awesome and really interesting managing people with such a wide range of ages,” Skoczlas said. “Communication is important. Dealing with an 18-year-old is a lot different than dealing with an 84-year-old. It's really fun and it keeps my on my toes.”Skoczlas is big on team bondingThere are a lot of aspects of her job that brings Skoczlas joy.She finds the most satisfaction, though, from seeing students who need to relieve stress use the athletic facilities that are open to them.“They need an outlet,” Skoczlas said. “A lot of the students at Duke — and anywhere, really — have a lot of pressure on them all the time. We really want them to be able to come and have a positive way to find a release.”There are other perks, of course.Skoczlas had gotten to meet Duke basketball legends such as Grant Hill, Shane Battier and Jay Bilas when they return to campus occasionally for basketball camps.“Jay Bilas,” Skoczlas said, chuckling. “That guy is hilarious. They come back for a fantasy camp and I always try to hang around Cameron a little more that week.”And then, of course, there is Coach K.Skoczlas has sat in on meetings with Mike Krzyzewski, who is inseparable from the storied Blue Devils men's basketball program.Skoczlas also has had brushes with current and recently departed Duke royalty.Zion Williamson in particular.Skoczlas was the one who had to clean up after Williamson at the Brodie Recreation Center when he nearly shattered a backboard.“I had to wrap it in caution tape,” Skoczlas said. “Drake's manager called and said Drake wanted the backboard, but it was already fixed.Skoczlas laughed. “That was a huge missed opportunity.”Skoczlas, though, tries to steer clear from the high profile athletes like Williamson, who she sees often around the facilities.“I try to let them be a student,” Skoczlas said. “My employes have gotten pictures with Zion and he's good about that, but he needs to be a kid like everyone else.”Skoczlas find time, too, to grab a basketball occasionally and shoot around inside Cameron.She takes in the history. Imagines former greats like Christian Laettner and Hill and Battier taking jumpers from the same spot.“I have to pinch myself sometimes,” Skoczlas said.Skoczlas admits she's lucky.Lucky to find the perfect situation for her so early in life.“If I could put a pin on a map on any place on Earth where I wanted to live and work, I'd put a pin on Duke,” Skoczlas said. “I'm living out my dreams.”
