VOLUNTEERS
“We’re ahead of the pace from other cities” that have played host to Final Fours, said Ariana Tyler, an events manager for the sports commission, who is overseeing tournament volunteers.
“We have a great community that really gives back.”
Indeed, Mary Kate Pleggenkuhle, a volunteer manager for MKTG, the national marketing firm that puts on the Final Four’s Tourney Town event, told volunteers during training sessions this week that this year might be the first in her four years of coordinating the free public festival that it opens with a full slate of volunteers.
“Weekday Tourney Town shifts are hard to fill, but I’m not worried about it here,” said Pleggenkuhle, who is based in Chicago. “The first time I spoke to Ariana (in late January), the shifts were almost full, and that’s definitely never happened.”
To win the Final Four bid, the sports commission had to promise the NCAA more than the 1,600 volunteer shifts required to operate Tourney Town.
For the run of the tournament (March 29-April 1), an additional 1,000 volunteer shifts (generally four hours each) have been established at welcome tables at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and team hotels and at hospitality events such as pregame parties, courtesy shuttles and the Bounce event, featuring 2,500 youths dribbling basketballs from McFerson Commons in the Arena District to Tourney Town at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Volunteers must be 18, pass a background check and be available to cover two or three shifts during the four days.
Several colleges — including Ithaca College in New York, Florida State University in Tallahassee and McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois — will send sports-marketing students to gain professional experience.
Some volunteers signed up to help trumpet the city amid the national exposure, Tyler said; others just have a passion for sports or want to be a part of the energetic “party” atmosphere.
A friend persuaded Betty McGee to volunteer, but after sitting through the short orientation, the Powell resident realized the importance of her role.
“This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” said McGee, 66. “Look how long they tried to bring it here (10 years). If we can showcase Columbus and do an outstanding job, it opens more opportunities.”
The 19-year-old sitting beside her during the training agreed, but his involvement, he
said, also will help him bolster his resume.
“I’m a sports-marketing major, and this is right down my alley,” said Joseph Dale, an Ohio University student from Zanesville. “I know Columbus had the NHL All-Star game, but this is something I feel is bigger. This is slowly putting Columbus on the map.”
As certified tourism ambassadors, Lachandra Baker, 44, and Dustin Leber, 23, have been trained to promote the city and its many restaurants, museums and hidden gems. They’re looking forward to putting their knowledge to work during the Final Four.
Baker, of Canal Winchester, plans to work at a welcome table at the airport; at the end of the weekend, she will drive visitors to the airport.
“I want to be the welcome wagon,” she said. “Then I can be the last little oomph before they leave.”
The importance of the volunteers cannot be understated, said Linda Logan, executive director of the sports commission. Without them, the city couldn’t host the event, she said. In some cases, volunteers serve as the face of Columbus throughout the weekend, she said.
Volunteer Carrie Seto is eager to lend a hand.
During big events in Columbus, she said, she used to have to work (at the Japanese Steakhouse, a now-closed restaurant across the street from the convention center). This time, Seto can be actively involved.
“I know the area very well, and I wanted to be a part of the big event,” she said. “I just hope everybody has a good time.”
That’s the hope of many of the other volunteers, too — well, that and seeing Ohio State make the Final Four.