The phone rings. People knock on the locked door. The assistant police chief needs help. A dozen customers are lined up at the window. Everything is important. Amid the whirlwind is the calm Thereze Sichko wearing a Mustang T-shirt. She controls the chaos in the West Orange-Stark athletic department.
Wednesday, hours before the Mustangs football team was set to leave for state championship game, Sichko was selling the tickets and planning a district-wide send-off for the team buses.
She’s the one who scheduled the buses, booked the hotel rooms and coordinated the trip for the coaches, team and equipment. After three straight years at the state championship, she has the experience. She’s done the same for Mustang track members and the baseball team. When it comes to running things behind the scenes, Sichko is a player in all sports WOS.
She has the background, too. In the 1980s, she was named Best Female Athlete at the school her senior year when she played volleyball and golf. But she didn’t intend on a career in being the administrative assistant for the athletic department.
Sichko said she worked in a doctor’s office for 13 years and decided to change. She got a job with the school and worked in the front office. One day, she was assigned to the athletic office. The temporary assignment has turned into 17 years.
This week her jobs included selling the tickets to the state championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Her office includes the ticket window covered by Plexiglas with a slot to exchange the cash for tickets plus a ticket hole.
No calculator is necessary. “Three adults and two students. That’s $58,” she says. “Three adults and four students. That’s $82.” She has a mind for math.
Through the years, she’s learned to keep the cash drawer to one side and can keep an eye on the tickets. “I’ve learned the tricks of the trade,” she says.
She knows most of the people. One man pays for his tickets and starts walking away. She calls to him. “Man, I almost forgot my tickets,” he says. “Don’t worry, I know where you live,” is her reply.
Another customer comes up. “How’s your momma doing?” “She’s been doing fine. Thank you very much for asking,” she replies. Her mother, Marie Sichko, has been in the hospital this year. Thereze takes care of her and has missed some games this year. Her late father, James Sichko, once served on the school board.
But Thereze won’t miss the state championship game. She has a big responsibility. Before the game starts, she’ll be with AT&T Stadium officials making sure the money and tickets issued match up. After that, she’ll be cheering and working at the same time.
“If someone needs something, I’m the go-to person,” she said. “AT&T the stadium, the coaches, etcetera. If there’s an issue with tickets, passes, things like that, I’ll help any way I can.”
“Thereze is a big part of our team,” said Coach Cornel Thompson. “I’m lucky to have her running our office.”
Her office is a tribute to the Mustangs. WOS memorabilia and footballs from special games line the walls. Her laptop computer is open and on, along with her desktop computer. Both ready for work.
“People sometimes think this is easy,” she said. “They don’t know how many spreadsheets I’ve got going.”
Over on a file cabinet sits a plastic container with flavored puff candies. Visitors and passing coaches grab pieces. Candy is popular. While buying tickets, a fan hands a big bag of peanut M&Ms and another bag of plain. “Coach Thompson likes M&Ms,” Sichko says. “Coach Hooks (now retired) liked anything chocolate.”
Coaches have access to her locked door. But West Orange Assistant Police Chief Jesse Romero needed to be let inside. He came Wednesday morning to consult on the parade route for the chartered buses for the team to travel on the way out of town. After running through the driveways at schools, he wasn’t sure the chartered buses could make one.
“People don’t know all the logistics it takes to get a parade,” Sichko said.
Romero jokes around with her. They went to WO-S together. Coach Randy Ragsdale is also a former classmate. “I know all her moods,” he quips as he passes through the office. She agrees that he can tell.
With her friendly, joking demeanor, it’s difficult to picture her with a mean mood. Unless there’s a problem getting something done for the Mustangs. Sichko could be as determined as the Chain Gang Defense on a fourth and goal.
After the championship game, Sichko will get a Christmas break, but not for long. Basketball season is going for girls and boys. Track and field, plus baseball and softball are coming up. The Mustangs need her.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Sichko is also a poet, in case you didn’t know it!
Thank you for the presents
underneath the Christmas tree
it’s a trip to ATT Stadium for the Mustangs and me!
We’ve made it this far
now don’t despair
we will meet at high Noon
be there be square
The fans will arrive
two by two
as visions of GOLD
dance in their view.
We will laugh we will cry
we will make lots of noise
cause WE ARE the Mustangs
who cheer for our boys.
We will meet on the field
We will play our game
but life as Mustangs
will never be the same!
They will drape a medal
around our neck
this ones in the book, so give it a check.
Thank you “Coach T”
for this glorious ride
as the clock ticks down
let’s all show our pride!
As we bid farewell
to this football season,
we know in our hearts
that JESUS is THE reason!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
-Thereze Sichko-
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