Nov. 19, 2002
by Amanda Richardson * Host Communications
From helmets to cleats, transporting to inventory, head football equipmentmanager Tom Kalinowski handles every aspect of the UK football squad’sequipment and has done so through four university presidents, five headcoaches and six Kentucky governors.
After 25 years in his position, Connecticut native Kalinowski has noticedsome changes in UK football, not only on the equipment side, but also on theplayer side.
“The game has changed a little bit which has changed the padding,” Kalinowskisaid. “Everything now is a lot more stream-lined and lighter. When I firststarted everybody wanted to be bigger – and now everybody wants smaller andlighter.
“The athletes themselves have really changed a lot. They’re bigger, fasterand stronger than what they used to be. When I first started, a size 14(cleat) was pretty big, and now a size 14 is pretty common.”
Technological advancements in padding and helmets keep Kalinowski on his toesresearching the best options to protect the Wildcats from injury.”I’ve done it for so long that it’s not that hard keeping up with thetechnology,” he said. “That’s kind of fun.”
According to Kalinowski, open cell padding, air in the helmets and aredesigned helmet with stronger sides are some of the newest innovations.Kalinowski and his staff of student managers also customize most playerequipment by position or with regard to injuries or other needs.
To stay on top of his game, Kalinowski has been certified by and attendsconferences with the American Equipment Managers Association. This researchis included in the already hectic season, during which he spends 80-90 hoursa week working for the 134-man squad. The UK alumnus, however, is modestabout his heavy work week.
“It’s not that hard if you’ve got great backing,” Kalinowski said. “I’ve gotgreat backing from the administration, great backing from the coaching staffand that just makes your job so much easier. If you don’t have that then itbecomes difficult.”
Having started as a part-time student manager in 1974, Kalinowski was up forthe challenge when he began working as the full-time equipment manager in1978.
Though the equipment staff stays occupied year round, the busiest times arepre- and post-season when the managers are ordering stock, taking inventoryand cleaning. Kalinowski said these times are what he loves.
“I enjoy the busy time,” he said, adding that he would like to use hisexperience to help other UK programs meet their equipment needs.
“I’d like to take over other sports. I’d like to help them. It’s somethingelse to do. I don’t like to be idle.”
One thing Kalinowski does make time for are the baseball games of his youngsons Ian and Cody.
“I’ll leave early. I won’t miss it,” he said. “They’re only this age onetime.”
Though Kalinowski has spent his career on the sidelines rather than in thedugout, he said he won’t pressure his sons to pick up the pigskin.
“I hope that they do, I pray that they do, but I won’t make them playfootball,” he said. Kalinowski’s older son Ian already is getting into thegame a little by accompanying his dad to the equipment room on Sundays tohelp get the team ready for the following week’s game.
As a man who truly loves his job, Kalinowski said a successful day is onewhere no one gets hurt and with “not too many problems – and maybe a thankyou.”
“If somebody says, ‘Hey thanks, you did a great job’ that’s reallysuccessful. This is the kind of job where a lot people don’t really knowwhat you do – they just know it’s always done.”
The managers received a big thank you this season after the team playedArkansas. Kalinowski said on the bus after the game the staff found bags ofcookies, candy and crackers in their seats from UK President Lee Todd andhis wife.
“I’ve been here 20-something years and for the president of the university todo that it gives you just a little bit of extra fire,” he said. “Somebodyfinally realized what we do.”
Without Kalinowski, Jared Lorenzen would have nothing to throw and DavidJohnson would have no protection when tackling opponents. Though Kalinowskiunderstands the importance of his job and the responsibility it entails, hehopes to pass along that knowledge to his student managers.
“At times they never understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing things untilmaybe five, 10 years later when they’re in the workplace,” Kalinowski said.”Then all of a sudden it clicks in and, ‘Oh! now I see what he was doing.’ Iwant them to be good people. I want them to be successful in everything theydo.”
To help instill these values in his managers as well as ensure the safety ofUK players, Kalinowski keeps goals high.
“We demand perfection,” Kalinowski said. “Those kids have to put up with meand the hours and their school work.”
It is true compassion and admiration that keep Kalinowski working hard toencourage managers to reach their full potential.
“The kids I have now and the kids I had when I started, every one of them hasbeen special to me,” Kalinowski said. “I wish I got to be around them more,and at times I wish I wasn’t as hard on them. But I want to get the jobdone. I’ve loved every one of these kids and I think that’s really whatkeeps me going.
“I didn’t know I’d be here this long. It’s been a good ride. The players arewhat makes it and then again for me the thing that makes it are the studentmanagers. These are people who are just phenomenal.”
The young managers also help him stay young, Kalinowski said.”I’m always in the age group of basically 17, 18 to 22 years old. As I getolder, they’re still the same age.”
The hope of going to college at a “big-time football school” is what broughtKalinowski to UK from his home in Connecticut as an undergraduate student.Though he misses being close to the ocean, the bond he has created with theUK staff and the students keep Kalinowski coming back to the Wildcats staff.
“The people here are just wonderful. Dealing with the players, the coachesand the managers is what it’s all about. It’s people. I love people, andthat’s the best part about it (being on staff).”
