Game day training
Since the completion of the Athletics and Recreation Center last spring, the University of Indianapolis has developed a Game Day Training program to introduce students and the surrounding community to the facility.
UIndy President Beverley Pitts and her staff decided that something needed to be implemented that would intrigue the surrounding community to come to campus and see the facility.
“We put together a committee and really asked them to focus on finding ways in which our own students, our own faculty and staff, the community in general and particularly young people could get a chance to see the dome and be a part of it,” Pitts said.
Associate Director of Athletics Matt Donovan was named chair of the committee that helped him develop and advertise the Game Day Training program.
“It’s a program we put together with the intent of trying to encourage local youth organizations, as well as external groups, to come visit our facilities,” Donovan said. “We want them [the community] to get a look at the center for the NFL.”
The program allows the surrounding schools and youth organizations to come use the dome and participate in various activities.
Donovan stated how the NFL and host organization’s approval was important to the success of the Game Day program.
“It continues the NFL’s motive that they want to be more community oriented,” Donovan said.
In order to attract people to the facility, the committee has opened the doors before every home football game. Pitts said that the main goal is to get as many people as possible into the dome before the National Football Conference champions take it over.
In order to gain attention, the committee has sent information out to school districts and local community organizations, such as College Mentors for Kids, that describes the dome and what the Game Day Training program is about.
“The idea is to let everyone know that if they want to, they can come [to the ARC],” Pitts said. “If they come, we don’t charge them anything.”
Pitts said that this is great opportunity for community members to come and see something they otherwise might not see.
Pitts also said that Donovan and the committee have been careful about who is allowed to schedule events for the dome.
“They are carefully screening people who want to come, to see if it’s the right organization,” Pitts said. “Mostly, it’s been school groups.”
However, not everyone has been allowed in the ARC.
“We had to say no to a band because we can’t have that kind of noise in there,” Pitts said. “We’ve also had to say no to a few other organizations because it conflicted with student activities. Our own students have priority.”
Because the NFL purchased the turf that went inside the dome, UIndy had to seek permission to allow people on it. According to Pitts, the process was a long one.
“It took them [the NFL] a long time to see that, one, we weren’t looking to make money off of it and, two, it really was a community service,” Pitts said.
Donovan is pleased with the program but knows that time is limited.
“We have a window that we can use the facility,” Donovan said. “Obviously, the NFL will be here at the beginning of January.”
With a short timeframe in mind, Donovan expressed his goals for the upcoming months.
“I do foresee more groups probably taking advantage of it [the ARC] in the next two months,” he said. “My hope is that November and December are active months for us.”
Both Pitts and Donovan agreed that the program is a good way for people to get to know the university.
