Students in Tri-State University professor Mike McNamara’s sports media and promotion class are learning their craft first-hand by creating, coordinating, promoting, and presenting a first-ever Community Day at the campus on Sunday, April 13.

The event will gather the university and local communities for a United Way benefit, free food, athletic contests and a chance to visit TSU’s revitalized campus beginning at noon at Witmer Clubhouse, rain or shine. Among the special events will be a TSU softball double-header and men’s and women’s lacrosse matches.

The United Way will conduct an information fair with booths and tables of information about services its agencies provide. Proceeds from a raffle for prizes will also raise agency funds, and the United Way and TSU students will collect non-perishable food donations for Turning Point, the county homeless shelter.

Local elementary schools have joined the community effort by organizing a contest to see which student can collect the most canned goods for the food drive. The winner will throw the first pitch to start the TSU softball game.

The games will showcase last year’s NCAA Division III Thunder softball champs against Rose-Hulman, and give local sports enthusiasts a look at TSU’s inaugural men’s and women’s lacrosse teams in action. TSU’s Bon Appétit will provide free hot dogs and hamburgers. The sports media and promotion class will give away free event T-shirts to the first 250 participants.

McNamara is chairman of the TSU Department of Communication, and called the event “a positive experience for the class and the community. Not only is it designed as a hands-on special event learning experience, but I am also proud of the students for choosing to help those less fortunate in Steuben County.”

TSU class member Whitney Doyle encouraged the community to participate. “It’s a chance for people to get away from homework, household tasks, and even work for a few hours and just enjoy the afternoon with friends and family,” she said.

Events are free and open to the public. The opening pitch and cookout are set for 1 p.m.