What would you say to a classmate who feels nervous or unsure about attending?
Someone who hasn’t seen you in a long time wants to see you there, no matter what you might think.
When we graduated in 1996, where did you imagine life would take you? What parts of your life turned out differently than you expected?
Aaron: I really wasn’t sure where life would take me, but I was looking forward to going to college and trying life on my own after graduation. Post-graduation life really turned out different than I thought it would. I wanted to be a middle school gym coach, and instead immediately moved to California after college to start coaching high school football.
How did you go from playing football at Weber State to coaching professionally with the Oakland Raiders? Is there a favorite behind-the-scenes NFL story you can share?
Aaron: Going from playing in college to working in the NFL was surreal. I had a college teammate and someone I coached college football with that had been hired by the Raiders and he hired me as his assistant; It was a great experience. There are probably more stories I shouldn’t share than stories I can, but I did manage to sprain the thumb of our second-string running back at a practice the day before a game once, that was not a great moment for a rookie coach.
What led you from coaching and athletics administration into your current role as Vice President of Enrollment?
Aaron: There isn’t really a direct answer, and most of it is pretty boring, but I worked for a president who thought I was capable of making the change and he was very convincing. I said yes and three months later he took a position at another college, and I’m still not sure how to take that. One of the funnier moments of the transition was during contract negotiations when I asked my young daughter what perks I should ask for and she said (straight faced), “Dad, you should ask for one of those small refrigerators for your office, you could keep your lunch in it.”
What does life look like for you these days outside of work? What is something fun or unexpected you’re currently doing?
Aaron: Most of my time outside work is spent driving to softball tournaments and practices to watch my daughter and trying to keep up with all the work I never get to around the house. I have started to repair and restore vintage audio equipment, and unfortunately, I’m not very good at it.. but it’s a lot of fun anyway.
What accomplishment or part of your life would your high school self be most surprised to see?
Aaron: That I sit in front of a laptop or in meetings in a suit for 90% of my day. I thought I’d be working in gym shorts and sneakers my whole life and the fact that I’m not, is very surprising.
What would you say to a classmate who feels nervous or unsure about attending?
Aaron: Someone who hasn’t seen you in a long time wants to see you there, no matter what you might think. Someone wants to reconnect, someone wants to tell you how much they appreciated you for a kindness you did for them that had an impact, someone wants to reminisce and share a laugh with you or maybe even wants to apologize to you for something awful they did all those years ago.
After everything life has brought over the past 30 years, what does it mean to come back and reconnect with the people who knew you before?
Aaron: I don’t get a chance to get back to Utah often and I haven’t stayed in touch with many classmates, so it’s a meaningful to have an opportunity to see so many people that were so important to me. I’m especially looking forward to seeing how bald Tyson Ennis has gotten, I’m told the transplant didn’t work.
Rapid Fire Questions:
- Q: Favorite high school song?
A: Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden) – Always in the CD deck of Danny Bywaters Grand Cherokee, and one of Scott Sanich’s favorites. - Q: Most memorable teacher?
A: Nancy Wilson, English. She made me love literature and cried because I was a horrible student. - Q: Favorite record in your collection?
A: Impossible question.. but Taylor Swift hasn’t made a good album since Reputation, and I’ll die on that hill. - Q: Mountains or Mississippi?
A: Mountains. Full stop. - Q: One word that describes how you feel about the reunion?
A:Thankful