When Alfred Colasuonno isn't in the mailroom pitching letters into slots you'll probably find him in front of the TV watching pitchers hurl baseballs over the plate. Principle senior clerk and assistant to the mailroom supervisor, Al is an avid sports fan who can tell you anything you want to know about the legendary Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox. "Ted Williams is my idol," he said. "Williams is considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball."
Al played first base and outfield when he was in the Army during the Korean War, but today he welcomes strikes‹as a bowler. When he isn't catching a hockey or football game, this "die-hard Giants fan" reads Tom Clancy novels and spends time with his family, including daughter, Alicia, of the Graduate School. "Sometimes I get calls about packages he's signed for because we're both ŒA. Colasuonno,' " said Alicia. "But it's nice having my dad in the same building when I forget my lunch money. There are times when he forgets his, too."
Al has 34 years of experience in the U.S. postal service, where he was promoted from mail carrier to data systems management officer responsible for payroll accounts, foreign currencies and time keeping. When Al looks back on his career, he is most proud of his role in teaching his colleagues computerized time keeping. "I enjoyed it because I became knowledgeable," he said. "The more I taught, the more I learned."
At Montclair State, Al ensures that mail is delivered campus-wide and sent off campus, and he supervises the mailroom team. "The aim is to get the mail out at least twice a day," said the six-year MSU veteran. "The first run is strictly from the post office. The second run usually is interoffice mail. So if we can get two runs up, we're in good shape." Al estimates that on an average day the mailroom sorts 1,900 first-class letters, 14 tubs of flat mail and up to four sacks of packages. In all, Al estimates he walks approximately two miles on his route. "I like the campus and the people," he said. " There isn't a professor on my route I don't talk to."