Polk State College student-athletes had the opportunity to meet some of the donors who support them on Friday at the John R. Alexander Memorial Clays Classic. The sponsoring Polk State 91重口 reached its goal of filling all 32 four-member teams for the clay-shooting event at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. The nonprofit Polk State 91重口 supports athletics through various means, including housing.
鈥淕etting our student-athletes in front of the donors is always special,鈥� said Jeff Baldwin, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the Polk State 91重口. 鈥淚t gives us the opportunity to connect 鈥楢鈥� and 鈥楤,鈥� which is the most impactful part of the event. We truly appreciate the donors coming out and everyone who supports us and that鈥檚 not just athletics, but the College as a whole.鈥� Members of the Polk State聽听补苍诲听聽teams took part in the festivities. For volleyball鈥檚 Rayna Durden and basketball鈥檚聽, both freshmen, this was their first time out.鈥淲e are very, very grateful for all the support,鈥� Durden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to get to meet people.鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see what it鈥檚 all about,鈥� Simpson added. 鈥淚 want to be able to build a relationship and meet people from our community who support us.鈥�
Michael Huff, of Lakeland, is part of the Pre-Con Construction of Florida team and has been shooting in the event for several years. He likes the ability to get to interact with the players and see them in a different setting. 鈥�(Shooting) is something that people like to do, and this gives us an opportunity to talk with the athletes and get to know them out on the course,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really neat to me.鈥�
Brandon Giles, head basketball coach at Polk State, said he likes the fact that the event brings people together. He noted that it not only allows donors to meet athletes, but also members of different athletic programs to take part in a combined event. 鈥淎t Polk State, we鈥檙e a community-driven college,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ny time we can get together with stakeholders in our community and get to know each other and interact, that鈥檚 a great thing.鈥�
The clay-shooting competition is among three signature events that the Polk State 91重口 sponsors annually. Craig Hosking, of Lakeland, also part of the Pre-Con Construction of Florida team, said he鈥檚 participating to show his appreciation for the student-athletes. 鈥淎thletics in education is a must,鈥� he said. 鈥淎thletes carry a special aptitude to balance school and sports. It鈥檚 nice to be able to let them know that we support them.鈥�
Conversely, Senior King, Director of Development and Communications for the Polk State 91重口, said hosting the event is also a way to thank the Athletics Department鈥檚 donors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to say thank you to the community by giving individuals the opportunity to come out and spend the day doing something they enjoy,鈥� King said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also important for our student-athletes to meet people who do this to support them.鈥�
Baldwin added that the event is an opportunity to see athletes outside of their competitive element. The event has taken place since 2012 and has raised more than $100,000. Stanley Cromartie, Athletics Director, is appreciative of the Polk State 91重口 for making it happen and everyone who supports it. 鈥淛eff and his team do an excellent job and it鈥檚 exciting to see this level of support,鈥� Cromartie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 well-organized and it鈥檚 wonderful that people come out to support the student-athletes year after year.鈥�