Ideas that Work
Presbyterian Downtown Block Party
Activity Details
Submitted By: Dr. Bee Carlton
Position: Director of Athletics
Phone Number: 864-833-8242
Email Address: wbcarlton@presby.edu
Name of School:
Presbyterian College
Conference: South Atlantic Conference
Type of Event:
- Away from Campus
Description of Activity
The downtown block party is a 2-3 hour event taking place in the downtown of the City of Clinton community. The downtown literally becomes a town square where freshman students and local businesses interact. On our downtown strip businesses set up tents. At the tents businesses have anything from food to business cards and establish an opportunity for incoming students to take part in. Although the event is for the entire freshman orientation class, it presents a great opportunity for our freshman student-athletes to get connected with their freshman class. Presbyterian has a campus size of 1200 and out of that, 360 are student athletes so any opportunity that comes forth to have an event where student-athletes and the general student population come together the athletic department takes advantage of it.
The event also helps local businesses get their name into the community. There is a great indirect benefit from student bonding, in that students have the opportunity to meet local community members. With over 350 students in each freshman class it is a great gathering. There is a DJ or band that attends, along with churches and student groups. There is great support from the university and community because the event has gotten to the point where everyone is ready for it to occur and knows the date. Community members get really excited to welcome the new freshman class to the community.
Associated Costs
How much (in dollars) this cost to plan, prepare and run:
No direct cost to the university. The mayor of downtown Clinton is Director of Alumni Relations.
Individuals Involved
Number of volunteers it took to execute:
22: Staff/Hose Leaders have groups of 15 students each
20: Local businesses
3-4: Administrative Staff
The target audience:
- Extended community groups
- Senior citizens
- Alumni
- Local business leaders / potential & current sponsors
- Local Teachers
- Community/civic organization
Planning Process
Days of planning from the first day of planning until the last day of execution:
From the athletics side, the Assistant A.D. participates in the coordination of the event with the university. Orientation is usually planned six months ahead of time. Our Asst. A.D. meets monthly with student-life to make sure everything is on task.
How was it marketed:
Local Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Merchants Association. The college runs information in the local newspaper about the event.
How many times this was ran in a given year:
One Time per year
Conference-wide initiative:
No
Reactions
Community reactions:
Very Positive.
Student-athletes reactions:
Have the opportunity to be released from practice and laid back meet other people. Big time forming bonds with folks that aren’t athletes.
Coaches reactions:
Coaches understand that athletes are significant population in that student-body and need to be integrated into student life. The event occurs on the evening so most of the practice time is done prior.
The overall value for generating community interest or spirit: (1 - 5, 5=most valuable)
4
Enhancement Suggestions
