Debbie Rhyde might as well have a permanent place on the Colgate football roster.
The award-winning Administrative Assistant has been a part of the Raiders gridiron staff since February 1981, three years after she first came to work on the Colgate campus. During that time she has assisted five head coaches, more than 100 football coaches overall and approximately 1,000 football alumni.
She serves in the same capacity for Maroon Council, Colgate’s football support group.
In the office, Rhyde serves as administrative assistant to Stan Dakosty -- Colgate's Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach -- and the rest of the football coaching staff. She also supports the daily needs of approximately 85 student-athletes, organizes all team events and travel, plans prospective student-athlete official visits and provides a warm first impression to visiting guests and alumni.
With Maroon Council, Rhyde assists the board of directors and maintains all facets of club membership. For her efforts with Maroon Council, she was presented the Jack Mitchell Loyalty Award in 2004. She also earned a Maroon Citation that year in grateful appreciation of her significant and invaluable personal contributions to Colgate University.
Her latest accolade came in February 2014 when the football team dedicated its renovated awards showcase and reception area in Rhyde’s name with a shiny plaque on the wall.
Rhyde began her tenure at Colgate in February 1978 as Interlibrary Loan Secretary in Case Library.
Rhyde and her husband, Dave, are Hamilton natives. Their son, Nicholas, lives in nearby Chittenango with his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Grant and Clara.
Guardians of the Gate Feature
An influential person or people in my career or life: "100 percent my parents! They taught me through example the value of very hard work and that caring, generosity and humility are some of the most important qualities to live by."
An idea or invention I wish I had thought of: "'Find My Phone' on my Apple Watch! It's clutch!"
What I love about my job: "Being around young people is energizing. It's rewarding to assist our coaches and student-athletes to attain their ultimate goals. I love the connection with alumni and forging new friendships with parents every year. It's always been family to me."
What I like about competing: "It never gets old seeing the drive our athletes have to achieve greatness together and watching their achievements. It has always made me very proud."
What is one way you hope to impact or maybe you have impacted Colgate Athletics in your role? "My goal has always been to be that dependable person people feel comfortable to come to. My longevity, I hope, has helped the program's cohesiveness through many changes over the past four decades. Many alumni remark they feel a sense of belonging because someone still remembers them. That's the ultimate compliment."
What does it mean to you to be an inclusive community of competitive excellence? "Recognizing, supporting and celebrating the rich diversity of our student-athletes so they each can achieve all they wish to be with no barriers."
Something that might surprise those who know me: "When Reid Center opened in 1959, my father ran the snack bar. I was one of the first to skate on Starr Rink in my double-runner skates as a toddler."
What is something about Colgate that you didn't realize until you started working here? "What a large influence it would have on my life. I never knew I would travel the world through the eyes of so many."
When not at my place of competition or the office, you can often find me … : "With my family, especially my grandchildren, spending time at Colgate Camp, hiking NYS waterfalls, gardening and making crafts."
Miscellaneous Favorites
Heroes: My parents
Possession: "A signed 1959 Colgate game ball that was presented to my father."
TV Shows: Cheers, The Crown
Gadget: "My Cricut."
App: Amazon!!
Music Type, Singer or Group: James Taylor and Billy Joel
Books: Biographies
Food: Italian
Movies: What About Bob, Hoosiers, Rudy
Quote: "Be Kind, It Costs Nothing"
