LEWISTON, Idaho – The Lewis-Clark State College athletic department has received notification that the Avista NAIA World Series was chosen by the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) as one of its service projects for 2022, college officials have announced.
AmeriCorps is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. By implementing several programs, AmeriCorps provides opportunities for people to serve their communities and country.
One of programs of AmeriCorps is the NCCC, which is a full-time and residential national service program with a mission to develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. Each year, hundreds of 18-24-year-old young adults serve in this program for 10 months in diverse teams of 8-12 people at one of four regional campuses. These teams are then assigned 3-6 service projects throughout their 10 months.
One such project that nine team members will be involved with is the Avista NAIA World Series at LC State’s Harris Field. The team will arrive at LC State on May 1 and begin work the following day, doing a variety of tasks to prepare for at least two and probably three baseball tournaments at LC during May. The Cascade Conference regular season champion will play host to the conference tournament in early May, then LC State will play host to both a five-team NAIA opening round series (May 16-19) and then the 10-team Avista NAIA World Series (May 27-June 3). The team will wrap up work on June 8.
LC State currently is in the driver’s seat to host the conference tournament. If LC is the host, the tournament will be held May 9-11.
LC State athletic department officials, working with Chris Belcher, LC State’s associated director of grants and contracts, applied for NCCC help through a grant application process and outlined projects and learning opportunities involved for the participants. The project’s goal is to develop and implement a service model framework that follows LC State’s mission to develop successful leaders, engaged citizens, and lifelong learners.
The NCCC volunteers will have a visible presence through greeting fans and scanning tickets at the gates, operation of the scoreboard and in-game music, and other potential opportunities. They will help get the facilities ready for LC State’s outdoor commencement on May 13, the World Series Banquet on May 26, and the Lewiston and Clarkston high school graduations inside the P1FCU Activity Center. The group will be trained and help with the coordination and training of community volunteers during the Series. The NCCC volunteers also will assist in the delivery of promotional materials (shirts/posters/programs) to local businesses and help market the Series.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to team up with AmeriCorps NCCC this May and June,” said Brooke Henze, LC State’s athletic director.
Following the series, the NCCC volunteers will give feedback and evaluate the Series and address issues or concerns they observed.