By LIAM O’BRIEN
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
The Bentley University athletics department has placed a major emphasis on establishing tradition in recent years, both within its respective sporting programs and the Waltham community as a whole.
One pillar of this effort has been the Waltham Community Weekend, which is set to take place this weekend, Jan. 17-19.
The event, which is set to raise funds for the Waltham public elementary schools, will center around the Falcons hockey team’s series against Holy Cross on Friday and Saturday night at the Bentley Arena.
“It’s our job to really ingrain into the community with Bentley athletics,” said Kevin Loftus, Bentley’s associate athletic director of external operations and the chief organizer of the cause. “I think we are doing it.”
Bentley has provided 700 tickets for each of the two games to Waltham community PTO leaders. These representatives will in turn sell the tickets for $12 apiece to Waltham locals of all ages. All of the proceeds will feed right back into the school system.
“The teachers keep pushing and pushing to channel the ticket sales through the elementary schools that the families in Waltham are associated with,” Loftus said. “They just drive it. We feel pretty good. It should be great. This is an inclusive event, bringing in kids all the way to grandparents and building community.”
A win-win for everyone
Formerly known as Elementary Fundraiser Weekend, the Waltham Community Weekend, now in its fourth year, serves as the perfect way for the university to support the surrounding environment while the college students who would normally gobble up these tickets are on winter break.
“During the winter break, I convinced the school to say, ‘Hey, listen, our students aren’t here, so why don’t we give the tickets to the community and let them fundraise,’” Loftus said. “Let’s give them to the school systems. The easiest way to get the tickets to the school systems is by giving them to the PTO.”
The proceeds from the drive have grown in an exponential fashion over the years. In 2022 Bentley raised $4,800 in proceeds. That figure increased to $6,200 in 2023 before passing the five-figure milestone last winter.
In order to distribute the tickets, Loftus organized a small army of Bentley students to spread the word.
“I created a ticket team of three students,” Loftus said. “They are like my squad. They were awesome as we built it together for three years. They graduated last year, so we brought in three more students who got to see it a little bit last year. They are the new team. We call them ‘Chapter Two.’”
Once the team adds up the proceeds from the ticket sales for both games, they will print a ceremonial paper check and snap a photo with Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy to commemorate the weekend.
“We have also been making headway with the Boys & Girls Club and Dancing With the Stars alumni for this year,” Loftus said. “We told everyone, bring your special partners, come to the game, be in the private room and just talk out how to make the program better. Use this night.”
The athletics department will be making a $1,500 donation to the local Boys & Girls Club, with further proceeds being generated during the women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader at the Dana Athletic Center on Sunday afternoon.
“We have multiple layers to it,” Loftus said. “It’s pretty cool. When we started, it was a little choppy, but it is flowing now.”
Puck drop for the Falcons game against the Crusaders is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday night with a 6 p.m. tilt to follow on Saturday.
The general public can buy tickets at the door. However, the proceeds from those ticket sales will go to Bentley and not the elementary schools.
Thanks for reading! We are a reader-supported nonprofit newspaper. If you value our reporting, please support The Waltham Times through a tax-deductible gift.