RUSTON ? People know him affectionately as Chief.

However, after 30 years of dedicated and loyal service to Louisiana Tech Athletics, he should be referred to as a living legend.

Sam Wilkinson, who has held more jobs and titles in the university?s athletic department than he cares to recall these days, announced that he will retire July 1 after three decades of being a part of the Tech family.

?After 30 years of a love affair with Louisiana Tech University and its athletic programs, I personally think the time has come for me to retire and enjoy life,? Wilkinson said. ?I think it?s time for me to step back and smell the flowers. My family agrees with me.?

Wilkinson, who currently holds the title of Assistant Athletic Director and oversees football operations along with a host of other responsibilities, said recent health issues led to his decision to step away.

A recent scare with cancer and an impending hip replacement procedure molded his decision, one that didn?t come easily for the avid baseball fan and southern gentleman.

?When they told me on that Thursday (back in the fall) that I had cancer and I was going to have surgery, they asked if I wanted to go back to Ruston first,? Wilkinson recalled. ?I said no I want to do it right then. My thinking was I could be back in time for the game on Saturday. When I woke up that Saturday morning and realized I wasn?t going to be able to make it, I cried. Not because I hurt from the surgery, but because I was going to miss a game.?

When the Bulldogs took Joe Aillet Stadium last Sept. 16 against Nicholls State, it was the first time a Louisiana Tech football team had been without Wilkinson since 1977, a string of 333 straight contests.

?I?ve never sat in the stands of a football game,? Wilkinson jests. ?I don?t know what people do up there.?

It?s that kind of loyalty that hasn?t gone unnoticed, even by head coach Derek Dooley who has only been at the helm of the football program since mid-December.

?As much as we hate to lose Sam, I?m very happy for him because he has earned the right to retire on his terms,? Dooley said. ?Sam is an institution at Louisiana Tech. Very few people have given so much blood, sweat and tears to a program like Sam has to Louisiana Tech. And although he is retiring from his day to day operations, he will forever remain a part of the program.?

Wilkinson began this love affair way back in 1977 when he left the Houston Astros organization where he served as a trainer and made the move back to Ruston where he would become an icon around not only the athletic venues but the entire campus and community. In his first year at Tech, he was a part of Maxie Lambright?s team that won the Southland Conference and defeated Louisville 24-14 in the 1977 Independence Bowl.

?Sam Wilkinson has been a huge part of this athletic program for over 30 years,? said Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes. ?He is well known and widely respected across the country. It really is the passing of a special era with Sam's retirement. He is as loyal a Bulldog as you will find. ?

The father of three boys ? Donnie, Roe and Trey ? who all worked for him as student managers during their college days at Tech said he plans to use his free time traveling.

?I?d like to go to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.?

Although Wilkinson said he will miss his direct contact with Louisiana Tech and its coaches, student-athletes and administrators, it?s the university that will miss Wilkinson and his outlook on life even more.

?You have a choice every morning when you get up whether you can have a good day or bad day,? Wilkinson said. ?I chose every day to have a good day. I?ve loved every second I was here.?