Playground Build

This project is a true example of what it means to say that the Community Relations Department is "The Heart Behind the Horseshoe"! And in fact, it exemplifies that all those who work in the Colts Marketing Department believe in the power of giving back to the surrounding community.

On Tuesday, September 27, the Colts held their 4th Annual Playground Build! In 5 hours, 175 volunteers from the Colts, Lucas Oil Products, National Starch, Stonegate Mortgage, and the Northeast Indianapolis Community helped to build a playground at Joyce Kilmer School #69.

Prior to the day, there was very little on this 3,000 square foot plot of land:

All of the 175 volunteers did their part to help the build go smoothly. Heather and I assisted with Check-In and keeping organization within the food tent (breakfast was provided by Meijer and lunch from Pen Station!)

A majority of those who volunteered their time were involved with mulching, building the playground, painting, landscaping, and/or aiding to make any and all improvements that could be made to the school and at a nearby home.


Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:15 p.m. the day was a success! It honestly would not have been possible without each and every individual who was in attendance!

And of course, the final product (because it was hidden by all the volunteers in previous picture):Take a look at our day through video by clicking here!

Spontaneous Performance aka Flash Mob!!!

In Indianapolis, every Friday before a Sunday game is considered Blue Friday. In conjunction with this day, the Colts put on an interactive event for the fans, which is held at various locations around the Indianapolis area.

This particular Friday the event was held at Circle Center Mall, in downtown Indianapolis. Over the lunch hour, the food court was turned into Colts Mania! The usual aspects of this type of event are: cheerleader and alumni player autographs, giveaways and live music! (As you can see from the photo below the autograph table was situated right outside of Johnny Rockets-we really crammed ourselves into the food court!)

However, what made this Blue Friday different from any other in the past, was that it also included a surprise not known to many: the Colts Cheerleaders "Spontaneous Performance"!

Now, we called this a Spontaneous Performance, even though most people would classify it as a Flash Mob. We had to do this because Flash Mobs are associated with riots and are no longer welcome in public spaces. So legally, we were eh okay with out Spontaneous Performance.

The week leading up to the Spontaneous Performance, the girls used bits of practice time to mash together a few of their routines, so to form the final product. So around 12:15 p.m., when the live musicians were "taking a break," music began playing and the unidentifiable cheerleaders slowly added to the dance...

Watch this video, you'll see what I mean!
Click Here!

"Forever if Ever"

There are very few words that can give an accurate depiction of the evening spent at Conner Prairie for the "Concert With A Cause" performance of Jon McLaughlin and the Indianapolis Symphonic Orchestra. ((For those who don't know, Conner Prairie is an outdoor venue.))

Accordingly Clayton, Dad, Grandma, Aunt Juleen and I lucked out with 65 degree weather (especially considering it had been raining nonstop the past few days). We brought our lawn chairs and wine, a baguette, cheese, cherries, and grandma's cookies to enjoy our Saturday evening "dinner". We enjoyed each others' company and then as the sky began to turn varying shades of red, yellow, purple, and blue, Jon McLaughlin's majestic voice filled the air. It continued to do so till the sky was dark and crickets woke up. Seriously though, there were moments during this concert when the crowd was in absolute silence the crickets could be heard.

Jon McLaughlin is hands down my favorite artist-not only is he an Indiana native, but he writes moving lyrics that perfectly accompany his amazing voice.

My first return to GC as an alumnus...and a guest speaker

On Labor Day, when most offices are closed, Goshen College continues on with normal routine. As a student I always complained-we had to be the only school around who had classes this day. So this year, as a newly titled college grad, one would presume that I gladly took my day off from work and did absolutely nothing, right?...Wrong. On the 5th day of September, which we endearingly call Labor Day, I found myself in the Goshen College classroom in Newcomer Center.

Truth, I was in the classroom, but it was also true that I was not a customary classroom situation. I didn't come to this class to sit and learn, but rather I found myself at the front of the room, teaching... never in a million years would I have thought that just a few weeks into the new school year (aka just a few weeks after I had officially become an alumnus of Goshen College) that I would be speaking to sophomores, juniors and seniors in a Principles of Public Relations class from my "vast array of knowledge".

I speak the previous words with a hint of sarcasm, but in all honestly I was completely honored to be asked by one of my previous professors, Pat McFarland, to speak to her class. I was given the full 50 minutes to speak on my previous internship with IU Health Goshen and my current one with the Indianapolis Colts.

Going into the class I did not expect to have the entire time dedicated to presentation. Surprisingly (and luckily so), the time flew by and students were engaged in the session. I was very pleased that it was formatted as a question and answer period. More importantly, I was extremely impressed with students' questions and engagement of the topic at hand (my life as an intern!).

Good Ol' GC, wasn't sure that I would find myself saying this, but I am honored to call myself an alumnus from this school.

Friday I'm In Love

On the first Friday of September, the Colts held their Kickoff Luncheon! At this annual event, almost all of those individuals involved with the Colts organization gather to enjoy lunch together. So this means both football operations, marketing staff, and sponsors.

This year's luncheon was held at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis-it's quite a luxurious building. Our event took place on the third floor in the Grand Ballroom. Over 100 tables were set up in this room, all facing a stage that had a head table for Bill Polian, Jim Irsay, Tom Zupancic, Coach Caldwell, the team's pastor and the guest speaker: Greg Gumbel. Take a look at the atmosphere:

My job for the event: as guests begun arriving I, along with four cheerleaders, greeted and directed attendees at the front entrance. We then headed upstairs just before the program was to begin. The cheerleaders were staged and ready to escort those seated at the head table and also stand at the tunnel where the players came out of before having a seat at their tables. Heather and I had a lot of fun with this as we "had" to stand back stage (or the entrance to the tunnel) and watch all the players pass by. Here's what the tunnel looked like, with Abbey leading Greg Gumbel to the main stage!


After all football personnel made it to their seats, we were allowed to go to ours and enjoy the program. I thoroughly enjoyed Gumbel's interview with the players, most notable Pat McAfee-he's just hilarious! During all of this, we enjoyed a three course meal consisting of a wedge salad, beef with sautéed vegetables all atop mashed potatoes and a rich chocolate torte. All said and done, this event was a wonderful culmination to a busy week of work!

Hanging out on Monument Circle!

On the first day of September my boss said to me... okay so it's not Christmas time yet, but the stores are beginning to act like it's closer than 3 months away! Red and green are almost overpowering the pumpkins for sale-how crazy! Do stores put decorations out for the holidays earlier and earlier each year, or rather is it that each year summer goes by quicker than the last?

At any rate, today we spent the hours around lunch time on Monument Circle for the 5th Annual Zup’s BBQ for Kid’s, benefiting the Children’s Bureau. Half of the circle and Meridian Street, just north of Washington, leading into the circle, were closed so that the only form of traffic allowed was pedestrian.

Colts fans and just those who happened to walk through the circle around the noon hour had the opportunity to purchase $10 tickets, which were good for their choice of BBQ from one of three booths--O’Charley’s, Famous Dave’s, and Dawson’s on Main.

Cheerleaders were there signing autographs and got to cheer along the dozen (or so) contestants who took part in the rib eating contest! What a sight to see-young and old alike, male and female, were attired with a black apron and sat down at a table stretched across the main stage to partake in the event. O’Charley’s provided a large dinner plate pilled heaping full of ribs for each contestant. With 5 minutes to eat as many ribs as possible, Joe Staysniak (Colts alumni player), ate the most. He cleaned 49 ribs to the bone. The fewest number eaten was 18.