|
Kellie Williamson and Susan Clark prepare for the ride in facilities
operations' entry "Gator Done." Clark said she hopes next year more
College departments will compete. "We had fun hanging out down there
with IT." (facilities operations photo)
|
Cardboard Classic Thrills
Annual Contest Showcases College
Sled-building Talents
January 17, 2005
Braving single-digit temperatures and a few
frozen fingers, members of Albion College's facilities operations
department claimed the overall first place award for design at the 13th
annual Cardboard Classic Sled Race, held Sunday, January 16, at Albion's
Victory Park. The sled, "Gator Done," was a replica of the John Deere
Gator utility carts the department uses around campus.
The College's information technology department received an honorable
mention in the design category for its sled, which resembled a giant
laptop computer.
More than 100 sleds were entered in the
contest, which yearly attracts spectators and competitors from around
the state and region. The competition is sponsored by the Greater Albion
Chamber of Commerce.
Other sleds included a Caterpillar bulldozer, flower box, SpongeBob, a
Detroit Red Wings Zamboni machine, and a giant fire extinguisher,
designed by the Albion Township Venturing Squad and which won first
place in the age 6-16 groups division.
 "It
was a lot of fun," said Susan Clark, purchasing coordinator for the
College's facilities department. "I didn't help build it, but from the
very start I told them, 'If you build it, I will ride in it.' It was a
very smooth ride. I was happy that it went straight and didn't flip
over! We actually made it past the second hill, which many other sleds
did not do.
"It was a fun effort by a whole bunch of people in facilities, and it
was really great for our department. The whole project involved people
who don't usually work together, and it turned out really well. We're
already talking about next year!"
Clark declined to comment on facilities' design plans for 2006.
"It's good to be involved in the community and
show we care," John Marshall, the College carpenter who worked on the
winning Gator sled, told the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
|
Instructional technology's Pam Levay (left) and Lisa Locke help to
program the giant laptop--complete with an Albion College product
identification tag. The sled was awarded honorable mention for
design. (IT photo)
In the downhill race, the
facilities operations Gator proves to be more user-friendly than IT's laptop computer (left). (ITphoto)
|
| |
Hundreds of people turned out in Victory Park for the 13th annual
Cardboard Classic Sled Race. (Catherine Kerley/Albion Recorder photo)
|
Between the headlights, the
facilities Gator bears the signature of
each College employee who contributed to its success. (IT photo)
The Gator draws admirers from far and wide. (Catherine Kerley/ Albion
Recorder photo)
In lieu of professional action, a
contestant from Troy, Mich., brought a
taste of hockey to
Albion.
(ITphoto)
TV and movie star SpongeBob smiles for the paparazzi.
(ITphoto)
A lone vision of summer, this flower box sits cheerfully in the snow.
(ITphoto)
View more AlbionViews
|
