Volunteers clock in early Saturday to keep the NCAA Cross Country Championship moving
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
More than 100 volunteers woke up early Saturday morning to help with Columbia’s first-ever NCAA Division I National Championship.
Katie Martinez, the University of Missouri Assistant Athletics Director for Student Athlete Development and Volunteer Coordinator for Saturday’s event, told ABC 17 News that recruiting for volunteers started back in July through an interest form.
“We assign [volunteers] a few weeks ago to their roles and how they’re going to execute at this event and help us out,” Martinez said. “We have also multiple staff and students helping us out.”
Martinez said that she’s excited to help out with such a historic event for the city.
“This is such a great opportunity for us to showcase, ‘What does Columbia have and how is it a hidden gem in the state of Missouri?’ We have such a fantastic course to show off,” Martinez said.
University of Missouri senior Blake George got the opportunity to volunteer through his sports management class.
“It’s a little intimidating just because of how big of an event it is and how historic it is for the university, but it’s a great opportunity,” George said.
Volunteer roles included checking in and greeting visiting teams on Friday and Saturday, running the event’s merchandise booth, and stepping in wherever needed.
“All the volunteers are so upbeat. They started checking in at 5 a.m., and they’re like, ‘Where do you need me? Where do you want me?’ They’re taking the initiative to make sure that we can put our best foot forward,” Martinez said.
Event volunteer and Mizzou Cross Country Alum Bonnie Belfield was also excited to help out, adding that the energy at cross country events is special.
“When I heard that they were hosting this for the first time, it was very easy to say, ‘Yes, I will be there,'” Belfield said. “It’s really amazing, the facility is spectator-friendly, which is what you really need with a cross-country course.”
Other volunteer opportunities can be found on the University’s website.