PROVO -- It’s not easy for Bob and Cindy Wakefield to walk through the Student Athlete Building at BYU without stopping for at least ten conversations. Whether it’s catching up with friends, talking to co-workers about special projects, or lovingly “begging,” as Cindy calls it, for athletes to do service, the Wakefields have become a staple in BYU’s athletic department.
In 2003, when Bob was thinking about retirement, he decided to see if he could teach somewhere instead. He met with Fred Skousen at BYU to inquire about a potential job as a professor when Skousen asked if the Wakefields would be interested in a “missionary couple” position. Not really knowing what he was getting into and not really talking to his wife about it either, Bob accepted.
“I exercised unrighteous dominion,” he laughed when telling the story.
Bob wasn’t worried, though. He knew Cindy would jump at the opportunity to help others, which is exactly what she did.
Fast forward five years to today. The Wakefields have created a position unlike any before it at BYU. They are the service coordinators – a full-time, completely volunteer-based duo dedicated to organizing student-athlete service activities.
“There’s a lot going on, to say the least,” Cindy acknowledged. “It’s a 24-hour devotion.”
Even during our interview, the two were going non-stop. One would talk and laugh and tell stories while the other was on the computer, answering phone calls or running into the hall. A few minutes later, they would switch positions, smooth as butter. It was easy to see they have settled into a routine.
“Bob is the computer guy,” Cindy said. “He handles the emails, scheduling, organizing, etc. I am the people person – I make the phone calls, talk to the athletes and go out to ‘beg’ for volunteers.”
They definitely have identified their roles and it seems to be working for them. Their calendar is so full of colors and appointments that it’s nearly headache-inducing. Things have gotten so crazy that they don’t even have time to reconfirm appointments before they head to the activity.
“A lot of times we get out of the car, see the line of kids heading into the assembly hall, and follow along!” she said. “I’m just glad people can trust us to know we’ll be there. They know they can plan on us.”
The Wakefields organize all service activities including school assemblies, stake firesides, MTC activities, Red Ribbon Weeks and “The Buff Don’t Puff” program. They have at least one activity a day – some days as many as four.
“Those are the crazy days,” Cindy said. “He’ll drop me off at a school with a few athletes and rush off to an activity of his own with a few more. Then pick us up on the corner, drop off the athletes at the university and pick up the next batch. It’s non-stop, but so great. The community gets so much.”
Some athletes serve to fill requirements for classes, some serve as a way to make up for missing practices. Some athletes just do it because they love it.
“These athletes are such good role models,” Bob said. “We have a few that never turn us down.”
To many, coordinating the service activities of over 700 student-athletes would be overwhelming. To the Wakefields, it’s about the friendships. They have a huge card displayed in their office that was sent as a thank you for a recent activity at their home.
“We really build relationships,” he said. “We have athletes to our house for Sunday dinner and have become somewhat of a home away from home.”
Did you know?
Did you know the Wakefields got engaged a mere 48 hours after meeting? He was in the Marines and had flown home to Iowa for a weekend. They met caroling, got engaged two days later and then he left to go back to the marines. They got married 8 months later – having seen each other less than two weeks total!
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Program encourages BYU athletes to serve
Read more about service from BYU Athletes