Post Classifieds
Decker a one-man army
By A.J. Speier
On April 15, 2012
Entering his 15th season this spring with Buffalo State's football team, equipment manager Bob Decker
does it all. Through years of experience, Decker has settled into a crucial role with the team, fixing
player equipment and ensuring everything goes as planned.
"Bob is well-versed when it comes to equipment and he's a detail guy," head coach Jerry Boyes
said. "The biggest asset Bob brings to us is his reliability and his commitment to helping out the players,"
Boyes continued. "On Saturday if for some reason there's a helmet malfunction or a string breaks or
something like that, he's there to make sure that someone doesn't lose any time in the game."
Decker began his career as an intern at the Buffalo Bills' Kids camp in 1993. Since then he has gone on
to work for professional teams like the Buffalo Blizzard, Buffalo Gladiators, Buffalo Stampede, Buffalo
Bandits, Buffalo Bisons and Buffalo Destroyers.
In 1997, Decker landed the equipment manager position with the Buffalo Wings roller hockey team,
which coincidentally practiced at Buffalo State.
During those practices, Decker met late head trainer and softball coach Sandy Hollander. He made quite
the impression, and when the Bengals had an opening for an equipment manager a year later, he was
the first qualified person they asked.
"They had a problem with the previous guy," Decker said. "Sandy said to Jerry, 'Let me call Bob,' and she
told me they wanted me to come in for an interview with Jerry. I met Jerry in the hall and he said, 'Sandy
says you're pretty good.' I said 'Yes sir, I am.' He said 'Ok, I'll see you Monday.'"
Since that day, Decker has remained an employee at Buffalo State as the official equipment manager for
the football team and has certainly made life easier for fellow equipment manager Brent Ford.
"If Bob wasn't here and we didn't have anyone to be equipment manager for football, I don't know
what I'd do. Bob is the one-man army," Ford said. "You see other schools come in and they'll have an
equipment guy with a couple of other people helping him out. When Bob goes on the road, he'll be all
by himself.
"Bob does everything. I respect Bob a lot."
Decker also works with the Buffalo Bisons as their equipment manager. While helping out with Buffalo
State's spring practices, he has also spent time at the ballpark helping the Bisons prepare for their home
opener.
The schedule for Decker can be described as somewhat hectic, but he never lets it interfere with his
work.
In fact, Decker was put in a tough position this past week when he had to remove almost all of the
players' bags off of the Bisons' bus. The team was getting ready to start their season in Pawtucket and
was getting ready to leave that day.
"We had already packed the bus and we don't put the bags on the bus in numerical order," Decker
said. "The manager came out and said, 'Josh Stinson just got claimed by the Milwaukee Brewers, do you
know where his bag is?' It was on the bus. So how do you get bag 19 off the bus? You pull them all off
until you find bag 19. We practically had to unpack the whole bus."
Despite rare occurrences such as that, Decker loves being an equipment manager and getting the
opportunity to watch athletes in their pursuit of success.
"The thing I love most about being the equipment manager is not really the equipment," Decker
said. "It's the ballplayers, and the coaching staff.
"I like hanging out with the kids and watching their success, but then after the game, I enjoy the
company of the coaches," Decker continued. "Seeing the players succeed, though, is awesome."
Aside from his usual duties as equipment manager, Decker also makes coming to football practice more
enjoyable for the players.
"Bob brings an added personality and he's always there for you when you need something," tight end
Zachary Best said. "Bob has all the hook ups and he's always there to pick you up. He gives you a nice
smile every time you greet him, so it's definitely good to have him around."
A.J. Speier can be reached by email at speier.record@live.com.
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