She has worn many hats during her 22 years at Binghamton University. She has been known by several different job titles – Physical Education Instructor, Ticket and Promotions Director and currently the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving.

But is a well-earned nickname that people have long identified with her the most – Bette Bearcat.

Bette Anne Gaube has long been one of the athletic department's most connected colleagues – to the community in which she grew up, her family and extended family (many of whom have roots to Binghamton University) as well as countless others.

It's been common over the years seeing her wearing Bearcat green on a regular basis. It's been even more common to see her being one of the first staffers to introduce herself to new colleagues, fans, student-athletes, potential donors and members of the Binghamton community.

This month, she is retiring. In the process, she is closing the book on a 20-year career that has mirrored the growth of the Binghamton Athletic Department as a whole. She started in the athletic department during its first year at the NCAA Division I level, when the offices were in the West Gym. She leaves with the department beginning its third decade at the Division I level and its 17th year in the Events Center.

"As I leave my post as an Assistant Athletic Director, I am most grateful for having a career that I am proud of," she said. "The relationships I have made within our athletics family are cherished. I am grateful for our community and their ongoing support."

Gaube graduated from nearby Binghamton Central Catholic High School and went on to earn both her bachelors and master's degrees in business from Binghamton University. Her husband Jerry also graduated from Binghamton and was a star pitcher on the baseball team. Together, they have raised three sons – Gerald, Tom and Chris.

When her sons were in college and high school, Gaube was hired as an instructor in the Binghamton Department of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation in 1999. Back then, all three areas were under the same department.

As the athletic department transitioned to the NCAA Division I level, however, Gaube decided to head in a different direction professionally.

"As the athletic department was evolving, I saw its growth and potential," she said. "Since I had a business degree, I was hired by the marketing department in a newly-created position for tickets and promotions in 2001."

During Gaube's first month on the job, however, the growth of the athletic department took a back seat to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

"I had only been in my athletics' position for a few months when 9/11 happened and changed the world," she said. "I remember we all gathered in a small conference room in the West Gym (where the Student-Athlete Success Center now is). That was the only place with a TV.  Athletes and staff watched in silent horror as the scene played out and we saw the second plane hit.  The university closed at noon that day.  During this time, we were building the Events Center. There was a huge crane in front which flew the American flag on top. For several months construction stopped. It was a happy day when I entered the West Gym and announced that the crane moved."

Having grown up in the community and with her outgoing personality, Gaube was a natural fit for her job duties.

"My phone number was 777-SLAM and I spent two years getting community people to come to campus – many for the first time – for a tour of our facilities and to sign them up for basketball season tickets," she said. "We still played in the West Gym but we had great crowds."
The Events Center was completed in January 2004 and the basketball teams began playing their home games in the 5,000-seat facility. Five years later, it was the site of one of Gaube's favorite memories of her career.

"One of the happiest moments was when we played the (2009 America East) championship game here in the Events Center, with the winner going to the NCAA tournament," she said. "Students camped outside, we sold standing-room only tickets and gave out white t-shirts for a 'white out'.  I had been working and running around preparing for the game as fans poured in.  It wasn't until the national anthem that I had a chance to stop and look out at the Events Center bleachers. It was a complete "white out' that took my breath away.  We won that game, and fans charged onto the court.  I was in the middle of the 'fray' trying to take pictures. It was an epic moment."

It was during the year of that America East title game that Gaube became involved in an annual event that would become one of the universities signature fundraisers – the Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon.

"It has been very gratifying to see how the Celebrating Women's Athletics scholarship event has grown over the years," she said. "We had humble beginnings but now we have over 800 attendees and raising thousands of dollars for 10 endowed scholarships now awarded each year to our female student-athletes."

In 2006, Gaube worked an athletic department event that had special family meaning. Jerry was inducted into the Binghamton Athletic Hall of Fame and she was on hand to witness his induction as were several members of their family and extended family.

"When my husband Jerry got inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame as a baseball pitcher, I was so grateful that my father-in-law Fran Gaube, and my dad John Monico, as well as our three sons and families could all be there," she said. "It was a very proud moment for all of us."
In Gaube's first year working in the athletic department, Tom joined the same Binghamton baseball team as a freshman.

"Our son Tom played baseball for the Bearcats and at the time, Dave Simek (an Associate Athletic Director at Binghamton) had a son who was also on the team. We would brag about our sons to each other! Those were fun days watching the games and even traveling to California to watch the team play spring ball. Tom also met his wife here at BU, Nina, who was on the track team."

The same year Tom graduated from Binghamton (2006), Chris joined the track and cross country teams his freshman year. Three years later, Chris was the captain of the cross country team that won the America East Championship race. Bette Anne and Jerry were on hand to witness the big day.

"We were privileged to watch our cross-country team win the 2009 America East Championship in person," she said. "That was an amazing highlight watching them all come across the finish line. When they bus got back to the Events Center, there were many students and fans waiting. I remember it was Halloween, and many were dressed up in costumes. Chris was the first one off the bus holding the trophy. That was fun!"

Fittingly enough, Gaube will spend a good deal of time in retirement focusing on family. All three of her sons are now married and she has four grandchildren ranging in ages from eight years to 19 months old.

"I was at a workshop several years back and the words 'geographically free' stuck in my mind," she said. "I made that my goal.  Having time and freedom to visit my family and friends and spend time with our four grandchildren will be a gift."

While Gaube will leave Binghamton, the memories of two decades with the athletic department will remain with her always.

"I am most proud of being a part of our becoming a Division I athletic department and developing a quality academic and athletic program over the past 22+ years," she said. "I am gratified to have built relationships with student-athletes  – many of whom I have known since freshman year -- who now have successful careers and families of their own.  I have also enjoyed building relationships with our season ticket holders and community members, many whom have been with us since were played in the West Gym."

First and foremost, however, Gaube is thankful for the role her family has played during her Binghamton career.

"Most of all, I am grateful for my husband of 42 years, Jerry, and our three sons-Jerry, Tom and Chris who have been with me through thick and thin," she said.