Babbitt leading MVL
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Carolyn Babbit has assumed the role of Executive Secretary of the Marble Valley League, following longtime leader Harry Loyzelle, who die in August. ALBERT J. MARRO / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By Tom Haley Herald Staff - Published: January 9, 2009
When asked about assuming the job of Executive Secretary of the Marble Valley League, Rutland's Carolyn Babbitt had plenty to think about before she agreed to take the position.
After all, she had a lot on her plate already as Rutland High School's athletic secretary.
Then, there was the matter of following a legend. Harry Loyzelle had done the job for years and was known for his attention to detail and devotion to the league.
Babbitt is also the race secretary for the Pico Ski Club.
"It was whether or not I could balance it all," she said.
Babbitt gained her own reputation for being meticulous during her duties at Rutland High and since July, has been bringing that skill to her new post with the MVL.
Loyzelle died in August and now Babbitt tries to carry on his allegiance to the league.
When his health began declining, he began easing her into the job.
Their styles are different, owing to the generation gap.
"I use my computer solely," Babbitt said.
Loyzelle, an octogenarian, subscribed to writing things down in long hand and he would hand-carry the All-Marble Valley teams to the Rutland Herald.
Babbitt sends them out via e-mail to all media outlets.
"Sometimes I wish I could download Harry's brain. He had so much in there," Babbitt said. "Harry was so involved and had such a grasp of everything."
She is sitting in an ideal place to do this job.
"There is a lot of crossover (between her positions)," Babbitt said.
There are times of the year when her workload with the MVL and Rutland High will be overwhelming.
"When the winter sports season was starting, everything was colliding at once," she said. "It's about time management."
Babbitt, whose maiden name is Heald, graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1984 and then went on to St. Michael's College where she earned a spot in the Purple Knights' Athletic Hall of Fame as an alpine skier.
She has noticed a tremendous growth in girls athletics even since she was an athlete, in terms of emphasis and scholarship opportunities.
It is features like that which make her jobs in sports so rewarding.
"It's all about the kids and the positive moments they have as athletes," Babbitt said.
That's what makes all the clerical work worth it. Preparing the agendas and minutes for meetings as well as putting together schedules, comes to life and shows its value when the athletes become enriched by their experiences on the courts, fields and slopes.
It's never easy following a legend. But MVL officials are confident they have just the person to do it.
Contact Tom Haley at tom.haley@rutlandherald.com
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