In the 2003-2004 season, the Castleton men’s basketball team earned a trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Jeff Weld sat on the sidelines as his former teammates and friends played in the game. He was still here finishing up six credits and had already played his allotted four years on the team.”I went to all the games,” said Weld, now the sports information director and assistant women’s basketball coach at Castleton. “I had a lot of close friends on the team so I was happy for their success, but it was difficult not playing.”

Although no longer able to be on the court, Weld found new ways to expand his love for sports.

“Jeff created an internship under me during his last year,” said Tim Barrett, Castleton’s senior associate director of athletics and head women’s basketball coach.

A full-time position evolved as the result of the internship said Weld.

“He wanted to create a position he could grow with and he saw an opportunity for that here,” said Barrett.

Although Weld was offered opportunities elsewhere, he never really saw himself leaving Castleton. He said he wanted to be a part of the positive change created by president Wolk’s arrival.

Seven years after graduating, he can be found in his office that overlooks the baseball field, his favorite sport to watch. Castleton sports posters cover the walls of his tiny space. A little felt banner that reads “Castleton Basketball” is carefully placed at eye level.

Weld’s work is seemingly never-ending. He attends almost every home sports game and as many away games as he can, recording statistics and game notes for each one. He does research for game notes and hires workers for the events. He updates the Castleton athletics Web page, creates team rosters, writes press releases, works with the local media to get Castleton sports in the news and helps nominate athletes for their achievements. Weld also works hard to get every athlete at Castleton into their hometown paper.

On top of all this he teaches a sports information practices course and is the assistant coach of the women’s basketball team.

But, Weld does have a few extra hands to help out, a graduate assistant and an intern.

Shawn Medeiros, Weld’s graduate assistant says he is always well prepared.

“He has a positive attitude every day and it makes me more enthusiastic about work,” said Medeiros. “When I move on, that’s a quality from Jeff I’d like to keep.”

Weld also makes it a point to know every athlete from all 20 sports teams on a first name basis. He says this also helps to generate ideas for the local media.

“Athletes aren’t afraid to go into Jeff’s office,” said Medeiros. “He’s built a little community in the sports department.”

Barrett agrees with Medeiros.

“He’s been on the other side and knows that athletes like to see their accomplishments recognized,” Barrett said. “He goes out of his way regardless of the athlete or sport.”

Weld has pride in Castleton. Often seen sporting something green, a smile comes to his face whenever he talks about his job.

“One student at a football game said to me ‘I can’t believe this is your job,'” he said. “It’s a job that you can burn yourself out on, but it’s very rewarding.