Aztec For Life: Mike Sweet

After 22 years in Athletics, Mike Sweet is making a big career move — ten feet away to the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

Sweet is the new facilities manager of the PPG Alumni Center and is excited about his new job, but he will never forget the memories and achievements he made in Athletics that led him to where he is today.

Remembering all Aztecs for life

Although the distance from Athletics to his new job at the PPG Alumni Center is only feet away, the change is quite drastic.

“You’re going from a tennis shoes and shorts mentality to a very professional attitude.”  

Sweet describes his new position for Alumni as a “challenge to get out of his comfort zone.”

He feels honored to be the facilities manager of this new building on campus and looks forward to working out the new kinks and tribulations that make this job a new challenge from day to day.

“If anyone looks at this as going to a brand new house and they’re giving you the keys to the house and they’re giving you the faith to make everything work and make everything happen, I think that is a lot, it’s an honor,” Sweet said. “It’s prestigious to be in this building.”

With all of the excitement of the new PPG Alumni Center, Sweet has not forgotten the other challenging and prestigious positions that he has held before his position with Alumni.

Washing socks to welcoming freshman

Sweet started working in Athletics as an undergrad.

“Initially, when I came to school here I was student manager for the football team and helped pay my way through (school with) that.”

A year after graduating with a degree in public administration, Sweet was still working for the football team in their office when he was approached by Reggie Blaylock, the compliance coordinator at the time and now director of Ethnic Affairs/Educational Opportunity Program, for a new position in the Athletics Department.
 
“A position was created for me called the Student Athletics Affairs Coordinator,” Sweet said.

There he worked with admissions and records and housing and residential life to help prospective athletes get into the school, as well as secure on-campus housing.

“When I used to work for football, I was the go-to guy and I think he thought I was the person who could take care of this, since I was very detailed oriented and had the right personality.”

Working with Mr. Padre

While working with new student-athlete admits, Sweet was approached for a second time to work with the new baseball coach coming to campus: Mr. Padre himself, Tony Gwynn.

“It was an amazing opportunity,” Sweet said. “Being a sports fan and a Padre fan, I thought it would be a new challenge.”

So after six years working closely with new students, Sweet was excited to work as the director of baseball operations.

“I did everything,” Sweet explained. “Team travel, to following up on academics, to working with sponsors for equipment, Nike and The Game, the coordination of camps — I did it all.”  

Some of Sweet’s fondest memories came from his position working with Gwynnn.

“Most of my funny stories have to do with baseball and coach Gwynn,” Sweet said. “[The fans] are very nervous” when they meet the baseball coach.
 
He fondly reflected on the times when he and Gwynn would call out the parents in the stands that would send their kids down “to do their dirty work” to get an autograph.

“He lets them learn,” Sweet said with a smile.

After seven years, it was time for a new challenge and Sweet left Athletics to work at the new PPG Alumni Center, but not without some sadness.

“It really was hard leaving coach,” Sweet said.

Although it was hard to leave, Sweet looks forward to his future in this position and the excitement that comes with working in a facility designed to remember everybody’s years as an Aztec.

“It’s going to be a great place for people to come and reflect on the past and be a part of the future,” Sweet said.

To inquire about future events at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, please contact Mike Sweet at [email protected]