There is hard work and busy concourses ahead for arenas selected to host NCAA tournament games. For many, that means hiring additional workers. At Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., facility operators did not have to ‘hire’ event workers, because they are all volunteers.
According to Yahoo Sports, Intrust Bank Arena concession stands and merch store workers are all volunteering through the non-profit organization Nitro.
Nitro is a fast-pitch softball organization for youth athletes ranging from U8 all the way to 18 years old. The organization was founded by parents of softball players looking to make the game more accessible and open to everyone.
Members of Nitro work the concession stands and merch stores at Intrust Bank Arena as volunteers, and in exchange, the arena donates to Nitro’s non-profit. Wade Buller, accounting manager for the arena said, “The nonprofits get involved with Intrust Bank Arena by volunteering their time. Then we, as Intrust Bank Arena, pay money toward their foundation or their nonprofit.”
One softball coach, Emily Prichard with Nitro, told KSNW about the hard work that goes into operating the concession stands. “Honestly, we haven’t had a break. Tomorrow’s going to be really, really busy.”
“We got together as a team. We needed to fundraise, and this is kind of an easy way to fundraise. And also give back to the community and help out,” Prichard said.
Intrust Bank Arena’s catering company SAVOR helps facilitate all non-profit and volunteer opportunities in the arena. And, the arena partners with ICT Food Rescue to ensure that no additional food is wasted at the end of events. This non-profit distributes the arena’s surplus food to food banks and families in need around Wichita.
Intrust Bank Arena is hosting four NCAA Tournament round one and round two games this weekend. And fans can find Nitro volunteers at the Chickie & Pete’s fried chicken concession stand.
