Kyle Crisp, Concordia Stinger, student and call-centre fundraiser | Photo credit: Concordia University
“Stingers Football has a great reputation and produces a high number of CFL players, plus the Quebec football conference is very strong,” says Crisp. “Playing with and against such high-caliber athletes can only make me stronger.”
The 21-year-old studies human relations within the Department of Applied Human Sciences. He forsees a career as a Toronto police or RCMP officer.
For now, Crisp loves his sport and works part-time at Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations call centre, raising funds for the university and his fellow students.
Through his work at the call centre, Crisp sees how important donor contributions are to the university. They fund libraries, academic departments, financial awards — and athletics, among many other areas.
As a student-athlete, Crisp benefited from a bursary.
“Football has been my life. When I just arrived in Montreal three years ago, my teammates helped me to adapt,” says Crisp. “I really do feel supported — these guys are like my brothers.”
It’s a gruelling schedule, juggling team practice, daily training at the gym with classes and study time.
“Playing any varsity sport takes up a good majority of our time,” says Crisp, of the dedication required by Stingers varsity athletes.
Ryan Miller, BComm 04, understands. Now an analyst in Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations, he was an athlete during his student days.
“I give to Concordia Athletics because I know how difficult it is to strive for academic and athletic success — at the same time. It takes time, dedication and a great deal of energy to perform at a high level,” says Miller.
He is a donor to Concordia’s Community Campaign, the university’s annual fundraising campaign for faculty, staff and retirees, this year themed “my community, my choice.”
“The skills I acquired as an athlete helped me to be successful academically and I want to help others who are facing that same challenge,” says Miller.
“Gifts to Recreation and Athletics can mean new practice jerseys, better helmets, locker room upgrades. It really does make a difference to have these little extras,” says Crisp. They can also fund scholarships and bursaries for student-athletes.
Standing six-foot, six inches tall, at 295 pounds, Crisp — and his fellow student athletes — spend a hefty amount on groceries to stay healthy and energized.
“It’s really tough financially for some students — including myself and a few of my friends. That’s why I’m a huge supporter of the Student Emergency and Food Fund,” says Crisp, who suggests this designation to donors undecided on where to give. It provides students in immediate financial need with gift cards for groceries.
Crisp looks forward to being able to leave his own legacy, beginning with the Grad Class Campaign. It encourages graduating student to give an amount commemorating their graduation year — $20.14 for the Class of 2014 — to help incoming students.
Donors may designate their gifts to any area of the university: recreation and athletics, academic departments, student scholarships and bursaries and more. The 2013-14 Community Campaign closes on April 30. Please give today!