Community engagement increasing through athletics events and partnerships
The Framing Our Future strategic action plan working group for “Leveraging Athletics for Student Community Building” has been working in the past year to celebrate and further engage students and student-athletes. They developed baseline numbers for students engaged in athletics events and intramural sports by looking at sports with tickets and also completed a student survey to garner information about what inspires students to attend athletics events. Some of their findings showed that students often attend games and events to support their fellow students.
The working group then partnered with Athletics, the Music Department, and student organizations celebrate the College’s thriving arts community alongside athletic events with special performances this spring and recognition of music ensembles and performing arts groups on campus. Music Night at Men’s Lacrosse on April 16 featured the Scot Marching Band during halftime. Performing Arts Night at Women’s Lacrosse on April 22 highlighted Merry Kuween of Skots (acapella) and Echo Choom (dance) at halftime.
In addition to continuing to highlight athletics events in The Pot, The Wooster Voice student newspaper, and on Lowry Center displays, the working group will continue their work this fall with similar partnerships. They’re also encouraging students to sign up to sing the national anthem at athletic events this fall.
The working group welcomes interest and ideas from the campus community to support these efforts. Please contact Lynn Holleran at lholleran@wooster.edu.