Tailfeather
by C. L. Stambush
Tailfeather
MILES MANN, Associate Director of Facility Operations and Planning, is the man when it comes to fixing broken things on campus. A former U.S. Navy pilot and mechanical engineer, who's kept campus going strong for 36 years, he is also a national Sports Official who's officiated games far and wide for 47 years.
How do friends and family describe you?
Fair, Faithful, Thankful.
Do you agree with them?
Yes, and I would hope at the end they'd say, "He was kind and included everyone."
What three things can't you live without?
My dog, my friends and my wife. (Not necessarily in that order.)
What superpower do you employ in your position at 91社区?
I have a good memory, especially for names and numbers.
What is a common myth about your role at 91社区?
People think I know what I am doing. It's honestly all smoke and mirrors! The folks who work with me in Facilities are the ones who do it all.
Who was young Miles?
He was a handful. My parents and siblings all wished for me to have a son "just like" me; and it happened.
How do you decompress at the end of the day?
I exercise my dog (Sheba) for an hour and finish my prayers.
Describe a bizarre experience at work.
There was a black swan that had a crush on me. She lived on a nearby lake and would visit me at my home. She would follow me to work and bother lots of people on campus. She made messes all over the place. She'd let me pick her up and someone had to drive us back to her lake. Steve Woodall and my boss at the time (Steve Helfrich) had to drive me and my feathery girlfriend home about a half dozen times because she was aggressive. When others approached her, she would hiss at them and try to hit them with her wings.
What is the most adventurous thing you have done in your life?
I married a beautiful Italian girl. Every day is an adventure with her.
If you were a bicycle, what part would you be?
The reflector on the front of a bicycle so I can see where we are going.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Unkind people.
What one tool is indispensable to you at 91社区?
My pocket notebook.
Why did you become an umpire?
I started umpiring when I was 15 so I could earn some spending money. As I got older and my sport playing days were over, I officiated because it was the only way I could keep playing the game. It is the best seat in the arena, but I have to stand the whole time.
What insult have you received that you were proud of?
While umpiring a baseball game live on ESPN in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a fan yelled, "Hey Miles, if you had another eye that worked, you'd be a cyclops." President Clinton was on hand to watch the game. After the game he was still laughing about it.
What's one lesson your job has taught you that you think everyone should learn at some point in their life?
EVERYONE is important. EVERYONE has something to add to the solution. There is room for EVERYONE on the team. Include EVERYONE 鈥� if they don't want to come along, it will be their choice.
Describe yourself as a hashtag.
#CoachMiles