BY GAIL MATSUNAGA
From Dateline (May 6, 2004)
CLE Members Volunteer to Show the
Way at Titan Athletic Events
Ask the volunteer ushers from Continuing Learning
Experience why they like serving at campus sports events and you’ll
get almost as many answers as the number of fans they assist at
these games.
This year more than a dozen members of CLE, a campus
group made up of more than 700 semi- and retired professionals,
have been serving as ushers at baseball, basketball and softball
games.
Rachel Sweet likes to usher because it’s a
great excuse for going to see the Titans play baseball. Donna Spradlin
– whose husband, Kirt, is CLE president – says she enjoys
being outdoors at the baseball and softball games, assisting fans
and occasionally rounding up small children who have strayed from
their parents.
“We’re part of the university, and we
feel even closer to the community with our involvement,” says
Dave Musante, who coordinates the program.
The usher program began last fall when Steve DiTolla, director of
athletics, marketing, suggested that such volunteer activity might
be beneficial to both the university and to CLE members.
“The CLE volunteer ushers are a great addition
to our staff,” says DiTolla. “They are not replacing
any of our student ushers, but are augmenting our staffing. It’s
a win-win situation for both parties.”
The program involves 15-20 CLE members. “We
have six CLE ushers for baseball games, and four each for basketball
and women’s softball,” says Musante.
CLE president Spradlin adds that CLE members make
great ambassadors for the community. “And most of us enjoy
Titan baseball, basketball and women’s softball games.”
“The program is a great partnership,”
reports Pam Jones, athletics’ director of development. Assignments
are posted in the CLE office, and members can always check to see
if ushers are needed for a particular game. Participants are furnished
with distinctive shirts and jackets.
Although volunteers are not paid, athletics plans
to make a donation to CLE for the organization’s help at the
games.
Now 25 years old, CLE offers its members special
classes, lecture series and activities – all in support of
lifelong learning. It is headquartered in the Ruby Gerontology Center,
which was financed with non-state funds. CLE members spearheaded
planning and fundraising efforts to build the facility.
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