Colorado State University Athletics
Carol Zick, Portrait of a Greater Ram Club Member
4/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
When I think of someone who roars at Ram home games, shouts from their living room during road games, cheers for every victory, and consoles others in defeat, I think of a Colorado State student. That is, until I met Carol Zick. No, she isn?t a Colorado State student or part of an athletic team. While she isn?t a college coed anymore, Carol is as loyal a Ram fan as there is out there. She chooses to show that loyalty by volunteering her time alongside over two thousand other Ram maniacs who comprise the Greater Ram Club.
?Athletics are good, clean fun,? states Carol, ?where kids and adults can go and support CSU and the community at the same time.?
While she was hollering at a Rams home game about five years ago, she was approached by an acquaintance asking if she would come along to a fundraising meeting. She agreed. When asked about that meeting, she said, ?the people were so warm, friendly and nice that I just had to get involved?.
Back then when you decided to devote your time you were placed into a team, within which you would brainstorm ideas and go out and raise money. Carol was placed with a group of women, whom not surprisingly called themselves the ?girls team? and the rest is history.
In 2003 ? 2004 Carol was the leading fundraiser for the Greater Ram Club. ?I just try to develop a rapport with the people, establish a friendship,? Carol says. ?Sure it [volunteering] takes a lot of time, but it is rewarding time.?
Carol isn?t in it for the hype or the recognition, despite allowing us to interview her for this story. She is content with being a volunteer. ?I have met the nicest people at CSU and in Fort Collins from which I have built wonderful lasting friendships.?
Not everyone is approached, like Carol was, and asked to devote their time but according to her, ?anyone who is interested can get involved with the Greater Ram Club.? Furthermore, she even says ?they can call me if they want to.?
Those who receive benefit from the Greater Ram Club are highly appreciative of all the volunteers. ?The Greater Ram Club is made up of volunteers who care about Colorado State athletics? says Head Women?s Volleyball coach Tom Hilbert. ?To a large extent we wouldn?t be here without them rolling up their sleeves and going out and getting money.? Hilbert also stated, ?I want to make sure that volunteers know how appreciative we coaches and players are.? He also takes it upon himself to make sure that his athletes know how much hard work it takes by others to award them their scholarships.
The correlations between Carol and a practice squad player are easy to see. The players do not receive any recognition for the work they do; they are not on scholarship yet still give maximum effort. In a way, you could even say they are volunteering their time, like Carol, to the greater glory of their team. Carol and these players are forces behind the scenes; if they weren?t so involved much of the success of their organizations would fall apart. Carol may not run, jump, pass, shoot, block, tackle, throw, or kick while in the office, but she?s certainly sweat some, and possibly even bled green and gold. She is proud to be a part of a team, the ?girls team? volunteers of the Greater Ram Club.
by Dominic Giarratano
Colorado State Athletic Intern