Catching up with...Len Schlegel

An inquiry into Union’s director of Institutional Research yields more than a few interesting facts and figures.

Len Schlegel is a proud indoorsman who hates the sun, the cold, the heat and yard work. When he does venture outdoors, he loves taking his children to amusement parks and playing hockey. An avid New York Rangers fan, he was in attendance at Madison Square Garden when the Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup in 1994.

Schlegel says only his closest friends know he’s a board game nerd, owning more than 400 of them. “But not the old-time classics that people play but have no idea how outdated they are, like Monopoly, Clue and Sorry," he notes. “There's a whole world of modern games that people are unaware of and are missing out on.”

Schlegel joined Union in March 2019 after 10 years as registrar at Albany Medical College and currently serves as co-chair of the newly formed Union Staff Council.

He holds a B.S. in management information systems and marketing from UAlbany and is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura. They have two daughters, Julia, 14, and Emma, 12, and one slightly obese cat named Olivia who eats four times a day and often co-stars in Schlegel’s Zoom meetings.

FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:

I look at my text messages to make sure nothing is on fire. I don't necessarily wake up to look at any apps... my brain needs a few minutes to defrost before engaging with the world.

ONE BOOK YOU HAVE READ MULTIPLE TIMES:

Easy; “Private Parts” by Howard Stern. Hey, you asked!

BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:

A wise man once told me to never compromise who you are, whether it's for a job, a relationship or any other situation in life. Don't be afraid of being yourself. I can definitely say that anyone who knows me well enough knows that I live by this. When you meet me and work with me, that's me, not my representative.

GO-TO BREAKFAST:

Not the healthiest option, but at least three times a week, I will have a bowl of Trader Joe's Chocolate Almond Granola Cereal mixed with Cocoa Pebbles (or Krispies, depending on the day) with bananas. It's how I keep my figure, and honestly, I dare you to find something more delicious.

NETFLIX OR AMAZON:

Amazon, because it's included with Prime. Netflix has gotten out of hand with how costly it's gotten. Plus with Amazon, you get music and two-day delivery. All that's left is if they could provide someone to clean my house…

FAVORITE PODCAST:

This is not necessarily a podcast, per se, but I still kneel at the altar of the self-described King of All Media, Howard Stern. I've been listening since 1990. There's nothing out there to this day quite like his show. I defy anyone to find someone who interviews celebrities better.

ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:

I wish I had the ability to remember people's names and faces after one interaction. I'm terrible at that. COVID-19 did nothing to help. It's not for lack of trying, but it's super embarrassing to be in my head trying to remember the name of someone I met two minutes ago. So, if this has happened to you from me, I apologize.

BEST PART OF YOUR DAY:

The best part is when my work is finished. That's not to say I don't enjoy what I do, but there is a very liberating feeling knowing you have free time ahead.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:

Everyone has at least one skill they're really good at but that is practically useless. Mine is "Name That Tune.” When the game show “Beat Shazam” came out five years ago, I knew I had to somehow get on it. I've tried out three years and was a finalist to get on twice. I'm crossing my fingers that they renew it for one more season because that money is mine! So do me a favor and watch it when it's on, so it doesn't get canceled. I promise to wear Union gear if I’m on the show.