Coworkers and families cheered on as Facilities team members demonstrated their athletic prowess during Columbia Community Service (CCS)'s second annual basketball tournament held in Dodge Fitness Center's Levien Gymnasium on January 4 & 6, 2011. The "Facilities Tigers," coached by Director of Custodial Services Boubacar Maiga and Campus Operations Manager Pete Macaluso, as well as the "Public Safety Enforcers," coached by Security Officer Johnny Pugh and Administrative Assistant Frank Espinal, and team "Powerhouse," coached by Facilities Mechanic Ron Brown, were among the eight teams that competed in the two-day fundraiser.
The "Tigers" won a thrilling semi-final round against The School at Columbia with a score of 47-34, before turning over victory to the University's Athletics team. The event raised close to $2,660--surpassing last year's donation by over $1,000 dollars. All proceeds will be donated to CCS's annual appeal, which supports local food pantries, after-school programs, and community-based nonprofits.
Since its inception in 1946, Columbia Community Service has helped countless people in the Columbia area. The basketball tournament, a joint effort among Columbia University departments, is overseen by Joyce Jackson, executive director of University Resident Halls, and Joe Rosa, director of Resident Halls. Mark Kerman, assistant vice president of Facilities Residential Operations, serves as CCS's current president. If you would like to donate to CCS, please visit http://communityservice.columbia.edu/
