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Ask any mother, and she’ll likely tell you that picking up after one high school kid can be demanding. Now try and imagine what that would be like for up to 500 high school athletes.

Such was the task for Don Hoberg, who recently retired after 19 years of being Rhinelander High School’s equipment manager.

While it would seem like a dirty job to most, Hoberg is the type of guy who relished his role for the Hodags and wouldn’t have traded it for much else.

“I’ll tell you, I just enjoyed being around the kids and the coaches,” Hoberg said. “When I first applied back in 1989, I never in the world imagined everything would turn out like it did. It has really been a great experience.”

At the time, Hoberg, who was 61, responded to a part-time equipment manager ad in The Daily News just to do something different.

“You know, I was a sales rep for 30 years before that, so I didn’t think I’d actually be able to ever talk about two careers in my life, but here I am,” Hoberg said. “Actually, when I got the job, I didn’t really realize there was so much to it. But I loved it.”

Coming to know great people can sometimes be taken for granted. Their true worth can be vastly underestimated until the time comes when they aren’t around any longer –– just ask RHS activities director Justin Szews.

“The hole created by Don leaving RHS is not only due to the tasks that he completed while he was here, but it also was his smiling face and friendly disposition that he carried through RHS as he completed them,” Szews said.

While the role of an equipment manager is an extremely important one for every team in the professional or collegiate ranks, it has become a bygone era on the prep level.

“Yup, I think that I was the last one in the Wisconsin Valley Conference,” Hoberg said. “It is possible that there may only be a handful left in the state.”

It is true that, since Hoberg retired last winter, the Hodags did not hire a replacement and probably won’t in the future as the position has been eliminated for now. There are some that wonder how such a void will be filled.

“For our football program, it is a huge undertaking, as you can probably imagine,” RHS varsity head football coach Jim Moore said. “I know there’s hardly any such thing as an equipment manager in high school anymore, but I’m of the opinion that, for all the money that is spent on equipment, it is a wise investment to have someone competent overseeing that area. And that was certainly Don. He was just the right person for us.”

   Perhaps the most mind-boggling aspect of Hoberg’s job was controlling the inventory.

   “When someone didn’t turn in a piece of equipment or it got lost somehow, Don was responsible for getting it back,” Moore said. “Low and behold most of it reappeared. So, it was a demanding job, but he got it done.”

   Hoberg’s duties will be greatly missed in every Hodag sport, of which there are a combined 20 boys and girls programs.

   “Well, I think the majority of Don’s tasks will be handled by the individual coaches,” RHS varsity head basketball coach Rich Fortier said. “I mean, you could have a couple of students help out here and there, but some of the things Don was in charge of were highly critical and had to be done in a very detailed-oriented manner.”

   Some of the things required of Hoberg ranged from taking care of ordering and inventorying equipment, apparel and medical supplies, to setting up and maintaining audio (P.A.) and electronic systems (scoreboards). While those duties may seem daunting, Hoberg did quite a bit more.

   “He, without a doubt, went beyond the normal scope of an equipment manager,” Fortier said. “I’m talking about personnel issues or game situations. He had a knack or a keen sense to pick minute things up that proved to be valuable in the end. It was really amazing sometimes, he was an asset in that way, and I’m sure there are other coaches who would agree.”

   Besides the obvious odds-and-ends that are required in order to be an efficient equipment manager, there are also the last second things that always come about in the sports world.

   “There are constant spur-of-the-moment adjustments that have to be made on the run in our department, which can be very stressful,” Szews said. “I knew, though, and so did the coaches, that when those things occurred, we were fortunate enough to know that we had the right guy aboard in that regard and didn’t have to worry too much about anything.”

   Hoberg’s talents and personality also went noticed beyond RHS. Every year the Wisconsin Valley Conference’s athletic directors recognize individuals for their outstanding service and contribution to the league’s athletic well-being by awarding them with lifetime passes to any of the conference’s sporting events.

   Last month, it was Hoberg who received such an honor.

   “It was suggested to me by Justin (Szews) that I make reservations for the conference banquet, so I did,” Hoberg said. “Then during the dinner, all of a sudden I won this award. It wasn’t expected in the least, and it came as a big surprise to me. I know this much, it will get a lot of use.”

   Without much doubt, Szews says it best in regard to Hoberg.

   “I believe I can speak for RHS as a whole when I say that Don has been sorely missed since his retirement,” Szews said.

   One could very well surmise that Hoberg misses RHS just as much.

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