November 3, 2008
LAURINBURG, N.C.—The St. Andrews athletics department is excited to announce the enormous success of their First Annual Halloween Carnival that was followed by the first home men’s basketball exhibition game on Halloween night. The main goal was to provide a safe and fun-filled evening for the kids of the Laurinburg community in the PE Center on the campus of SAPC, a goal that was easily met.
“On behalf of the St. Andrews Athletic Department, I want to send out a huge thank you to our faculty, staff, coaches and student-athletes who all played a part in making our First Annual Halloween Carnival a huge success. The event ran smoothly without any hitches and Co-Coordinators Rachelle Kenworthy and Roberta Mand, with the assistance of student-athlete Mitch Cooper, are to be commended for their attention to every detail in organizing the event,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Brian Mand.
It is estimated that the St. Andrews Athletics First Annual Halloween Carnival had approximately 350-400 children and family members walk through the transformed and decorated halls of the PE Center Friday night. The carnival was a group effort of the athletic department. It could not have been the success it was without the support of the coaches and their student-athletes.
“We could not have provided a safe and enjoyable event for the children of the Laurinburg community without the help of the entire school. We started a candy drive in the beginning of October and a large part of the success goes to everyone that helped by donating candy. We also want to thank our Equestrian Center for allowing us to borrow 10 bails of hay, which we used for displays,” added Dr. Mand.
“There was not one complaint and everyone left smiling. Rachelle kept everything running smoothly in the lobby making sure each child was given candy and that no one waited more than 10 minutes to begin their tour. All the tour guides (student-athletes and some coaches) were remarkable with the kids, and all the candy givers, face-painters, booth workers, story tellers, hallway characters did a phenomenal job entertaining the children and making their Halloween special,” said Co-Coordinator Roberta Mand.
“I want to thank each coach that changed or cancelled their practice to allow their athletes to participate in the carnival and I can't thank the student athletes enough for their help and enthusiasm with decorating and participation,” added Mand.
“I also want to take a minute and thank Mitch Cooper for the tremendous amount of work and effort he put into organizing the carnival and making sure the little details were taken care of. He couldn't have done a better job. I appreciate how seriously he took this project and helped out by getting other athletes, faculty and staff motivated and enthusiastic,” said Rachelle Kenworthy, Co-Coordinator of the event.
The SAPC men’s basketball exhibition game against Athletes In Action Sports Ministry that followed the carnival was also a success with a large crowd of students and community members watching a close game that came down to the wire. The fans were treated to the return of St. Andrews Alum Bradley Hippolyte, who is now playing for AIA, and a good look at the Knights basketball team for the upcoming season.
To aide in the motivation of the staff and the student-athletes there were several contests, judged by faculty and staff, such as “Best Hallway Decoration” between individual teams and several between the athletic staff that were announced during the men’s basketball’s Exhibition game.
Congratulations to Women's Basketball and Women's Lacrosse. They tied for best hallway decoration and will be awarded a cookout at the Mand’s home.
The following coaches and staff awards were also announced: Softball and Wrestling won for Best Decorated offices; Lyndsey Boswell, Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach, and Keith Williams, Head Baseball Coach, won for Best Costumes and Dr. Brian Mand and Rachelle Kenworthy, Assistant to the Athletic Director, won for Most Original Costumes.
"We really appreciate those that dressed up and stepped outside their comfort zone for the kids. It turned out better than we could have expected, and we hope to make this a tradition at St Andrews Athletics. I hope it gets bigger and better every year,” added Kenworthy.
The following local businesses donated gifts to add to the festive Halloween atmosphere: Belk, Bath and Body, Domino’s, Taki, CM Photo Studio, Pizza Inn, Food Lion, Little Fuji, Haney's Tire & Recapping Service, Jesse's Subs, The Daily Grind, Carrie & Co Hair & Tanning Salon, Golden Corral, Subs n’ Cream, Laurinburg Bowling Center, Jerry's Restaurant, Jersey Mike's, Mi Casita's, Bob's Jewelers, The Plaid Piper, Baskin Robbins, and Hallmark.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT MADE THIS SUCH A HUGE SUCCESS!
