After serving the University of Central Missouri for close to 30 years, Matt Metcalf will be retiring as the assistant manager of custodial services, facilities planning & operations on July 28.

   “I can work for more years if I want to, but I am tired,” Metcalf said. “I am burned out, and I am done. I might get emotional on the final day; we cannot rule that out because I have been here since I was 21. I am 50 years old now.” 

  When Metcalf left high school, he wanted to study criminal justice. UCM provided him the opportunity, but after a semester, he lost interest in classes.

  Metcalf worked in different capacities until his boss Edgar P. Hubbard retired as a supervisor at the Multipurpose Building. 

   He then served as the supervisor of custodians for the athletic department for six years. However, when Debora Williams was appointed as the manager of UCM’s custodial services, Metcalf became the assistant manager. Williams said she will miss Metcalf.

  “He is a team player. He wants people to succeed, and he wants to provide a shortcut for people to ensure that they will not struggle,” Williams said. “He is a good teacher. He is patient, and he is kind. He is of tremendous value to me because he takes care of the equipment.”

  Williams said nobody will stop Metcalf from leaving, since he has told her about his plans to retire several times. Although Metcalf told her he could return to UCM in the future, she also does not think money can change his mind now.

    “His father worked and retired at UCM too,” Williams said. “Their family has given a lot to the school. I know he wants to enjoy his life after leaving. He is one of the lucky ones who started at an early age, and he is ready to do other things he enjoys.” 

  As an assistant manager, Metcalf supervises custodians who work at the athletic department and on the main campus.  

  “I handle administrative roles,” Metcalf said. “If we need a piece of equipment, I make the order. I also supervise all our operations.”

  He said he will miss UCM, staff members and the school’s sports activities, and he said that the school has become a second home.

   “I like the people I’ve met at UCM, and I will miss them,” Metcalf said. “I have a good working relationship with the athletic director, Jerry Hughes, and the assistant athletic director, Scott Thomason. I will miss the volleyball games, football games and basketball games. I will also miss the process of planning events and scheduling part-time workers.”

  John Scott, supervisor of custodial services for UCM athletics, said he will remember Metcalf as a man who taught him many things on the job. 

   “I just rejoined UCM this year,” Scott said. “He has taught me different things, and his knowledge is immeasurable. I knew he was retiring before I left UCM, but I didn’t know it would come this soon. He has been here for a while, and I feel he wants to enjoy his life.”