Sept. 19, 2008
How does a free Nintendo Wii sound? That’s right; one of the hottest game systems out on the market right now could be yours thanks to La Salle Women’s Soccer and senior goalie Amy Grant.
As part of a capstone requirement for her honors program, Grant’s independent study this semester was a marketing plan for Women’s Soccer and how to generate more attendance and school support for the team.
“Everyone was all for it and excited about the idea,” said Grant. “Paul (Royal) and Dan (Mannella) have helped me a lot and I had a lot of meetings with Pete (D’Orazio) to try and make this work with the Athletic Department’s vision.
“When we were out at Marquette last year, they had amazing student support and I was kind of jealous, so I wanted to see if we could do something like that here. So I researched what other A-10 schools did, but most of it came from Marquette.”
After speaking with a couple of teammates to see what they thought would help generate attendance, Grant was busy sending out letters to local Philadelphia companies looking to get their support and/or donations for her project.
Then leading up to the season opener on August 29, Grant and her teammates used classroom boards and word-of-mouth to start publicizing the promotions and even started a Facebook group.
“After the first game, there was an immediate response, membership of the group skyrocketed,” said Grant. “There has seemed to be a boost in student following. The first game was over a holiday weekend and I expected that, but I really hope that this Friday there will be even more support out there.
“And no matter what happens with this, I really enjoyed doing it. This is something that Women’s Soccer can keep doing in the years to come, and wherever I end up, I would like to take this with me or compliment it with whatever they might be already doing at their school.”
Some quick information regarding the promotions that Women’s Soccer is running this semester. At three more selected home games – NJIT (9/19); Duquesne (10/3); and Massachusetts (10/24) – there will be a raffle for prizes. To be eligible, you must: be a non-student athlete; get a raffle ticket; attend the game; and be present at the time of the drawing. There is a one ticket per-student per-game limit, and you can get one ticket at every home game, even if there is not a drawing that game. All tickets handed out during the 2008 season will go into a grand prize drawing during the final home game Sunday, October 26 versus Rhode Island (1 PM). The winner that afternoon will receive a Nintendo Wii.
Q&A:
Why did you choose La Salle? It just felt right. And I was able to play soccer.
What is your greatest soccer memory (HS/Club/La Salle)? It was my freshman year when I earned my first shutout at Duquesne (10/28/05). The team was talking about it all day and Shelby (Reese) and Ashley (Cassel) said ‘you’re going to get your first one tonight.’
Do you do anything special to prepare for a game/how do you prepare for a game? I get lots of sleep and eat a good meal. I try and find a quiet place and focus on what I need to do that day and I read over my job description.
Who is your role model/inspiration? My parents have always been there for me and my coach at home – Todd Hoffard. I wouldn’t be playing soccer in college if not for him.
What is the best thing and worst thing about being a student athlete? Best thing is being able to play the sport, I think it would be a different experience with out it. And then the 20 or so friends you always have. The worst is time management.
If you weren’t playing soccer, where and what would you be doing? I would be in college somewhere, and probably working.
What is your favorite spot on campus? The benches outside McShain on the quad, they are very nice and peaceful.
Teammates:
Funniest – Lauren Barker
Serious – Amy Giordano
Smartest on the field – Melanie Gamble
Smartest in the classroom – Kim Voorhees
Hardest worker – Ally Kenney
Best dressed – Lauren Cittadino
Worst to travel with – Simone Canfarotta, I hear she is pretty bad.
Knowing the freshmen: (7 out of 8)
Who loves to surf? Paige Troutman (X)
Who loves to snowboard? Erin Brennan
Who wants to open a shop when they graduate? Leigh Gray
Who wants to work in an art gallery? Amanda Komarnicki
Who has a twin sister? Dana O'Brien
Who shares a birthday with Amy Grant? Kierstyn Mabey
Who shares a birthday with Ally Kenney? Dana O'Brien
Who is the youngest? Lindsay Garbowski
Quick questions:
TV show you can’t miss? House
Reality show you’d like to be on? The Apprentice
Super power you’d like to have? Reading Minds
Possession you can’t live without? My Laptop
What did you want to be when you grew up? A Lawyer
What is/was your favorite cartoon? Scooby-Doo
Who did you have your first celebrity crush on? Nick Carter
What is your favorite meal? My Nana’s Chicken Pot Pie
What is your favorite movie? Ocean’s 11
What is the website you visit the most? Facebook
Who are the three people you would have dinner with? Robert E. Lee, Hope Solo, and John Grady.
Your choose (Bold is selection):
Ice cream – Chocolate or Vanilla
Vacation Spot – Beach or Mountains
Friends – High school or college
Music – Rock, Rap, or country
Tv – Grey’s Anatomy, The Hills, or Gossip Girl - NONE
Campus Food – Union, B&G, or Tree Tops
Uniforms – White, Blue, or Gold - BLACK
Games – Day or Night; Home or Away
Actor – Matthew McConaughey, Mark Wahlberg, or Brad Pitt
Comedian – Seth Grogan, Dave Chappelle, or Steve Carell
