Kevin Galuski Jr.: The Man Behind the Scenes

 

Three young professionals from the University at Albany, Sridar Chittur, research scientist at the Center for Functional Genomics; Kevin Galuski Jr., assistant director of athletics; and Michael Boots, sponsored programs associate in the Office of the Vice President for University Development, help comprise this year�s 40 Under Forty honorees by The Business Review. The program, in its ninth year, recognizes the business accomplishments and community involvement of 40 businesspeople under the age of 40.

One of the busiest and most important behind-the-scenes figures for the University at Albany's Division I athletic program is Kevin Galuski Jr. He is assistant director of athletics and head equipment manager for the Great Danes' 19 sports teams. But if it wasn't for his role as director of N.Y. Giants summer training camp, some may not know who Galuski is.

Not that he minds.

"I'm not one of those guys who likes being out in the front," said Galuski, in his 10th year at UAlbany. "The most important thing is that the athletes are taken care of and the University is well represented."

Galuski is certainly representing the University well. Recently, the 36-year-old Waterford native was named to The Business Review's "40 under Forty" list for his accomplishments and volunteerism.

�Kevin is a committed professional who represents the Division of Athletics and the University in a first class manner," said Lee McElroy, Vice President of Athletic Administration and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Kevin understands the importance of trust, communication, integrity, selflessness, accountability, and respect, which are the core values of our organization."

Away from the field, Galuski Jr. devotes his time to the community, helping his wife raise money for St. Peter's Hospital. He serves as a role model to UAlbany's 450 student-athletes, encouraging them to donate money to charitable funds, participate in breast cancer walks and volunteer for Big Brother/Big Sisters programs.

Galuski Jr. is also a role model in hard work. During the season and off, he coordinates all of the game and practice schedules, uniforms, laundry, and equipment for UAlbany's men's and women's teams. For football home games, Galuski Jr. arrives three or four hours ahead of the team to prepare their lockers with helmets, shoulder pads and other equipment. He does the same for the basketball team, hanging their jerseys and placing their shoes in their lockers. For away games, Galuski Jr. neatly packs the men's lacrosse team's gear into individual player bags. He also travels with the football team, driving the Ryder truck full of equipment.

And that's just part of it. He also organizes everything for Giants summer training camp, including moving 150,000 pounds of equipment from Giants Stadium into SEFCU Arena, relocating personnel offices, coordinating University Police, food and golf cart vendors.

It may sound a bit chaotic, but Galuski Jr. makes it all look effortless, running each operation like a well-oiled machine. Still, it's no wonder Galuski Jr. is among the first into work and the last out every day.

It's a small price to pay, he said, for a job he loves.

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