In conjunction with the Trenton Recreation Department and Nike,
The College of New Jersey will be the proud host of the first annual Junior
Golf Summer Program.
Background of the Junior Golf Program
Recently, Trenton mayor, Douglas H. Palmer, has initiated a golf program
for the underprivileged children in area. These children are offered the
opportunity to obtain free golf lessons on a weekly basis, as well as
equipment. The program was created in an effort to give these children a
recreation activity that is challenging, exciting and constructive.
This summer, the Junior Golf Program will be extended to include a
two-week camp/clinic. Current members will be given the opportunity to
attend the program that will allow them to interact with local golf pros
while sharpening their own skills.
In addition to the camp, there will be a two-day tournament for the young
golfers. The Trenton Jr. Golfers will compete against children from other NJ
State Jr. Golf Programs.
The highlight of this event will be an appearance by Tiger Woods.
The major corporate sponsor, making this event possible, is Nike.
The Mountain View Country Club in Trenton will be the site of practices and
the actual tournament. TCNJ would be the provide housing and transportation
to the golf course for all those involved.
TCNJ’s Involvement
The College’s involvement with this program will be significant.
Ambassadors, Community Advisors, Student Organizations and volunteers will
be on hand to help make the event successful. Some administrative offices
will also be involved including Admissions and Development and Alumni
Affairs. The tournament will happen to fall on the same weekend as Alumni
Reunion Weekend, so alumni will also be involved.
Potential Benefits for TCNJ
The visitors drawn by this event will provide several great opportunities
for advancement of the College’s causes.
First and foremost, TCNJ will be recognized as a benefactor to the local
youth. We hope that the attention drawn would demonstrate our attempts to be
a foster our relationship with the surrounding community.
Second, this exposure to the local youths will reinforce our mission to
attract a diverse population of students. This will also provide exposure to
an institution higher learning to the children, who otherwise may not have
considered continuing education. This offers a great opportunity for
Collegebound Program involvement. (Although it is highly successful, the
Collegebound program lacks recognition and publicity. This event could very
well drawn the attention sought for this program)
Also, this event will draw great publicity for TCNJ as well as Trenton,
NJ. The College and the area will be nationally recognized due to the
appearances of golf pros, especially Tiger Woods. TCNJ has a good public
relations opportunity here because of the positive press of this noteworthy
and charitable event. This will also help to mend the relationship with the
residents of Trenton, which was injured due to suspicions of the reasons
behind TCNJ’s 1996 name change.
Potential Problems for TCNJ
There are immediate concerns that will need to be addressed before the
College can proceed with this program.
It is widely known that Nike is under scrutiny for its unethical labor
practices overseas. As of late, there have been many movements to stop use
of sweatshops, slave and child labor. The TCNJ campus community includes an
organization known as Students Against Sweatshops, SAS. This group has
recently asked The College to make an anti-sweatshop pledge. The College has
not, at this point, issued an official stance on that matter, but should
logically agree in keeping with the College’s mission to "preserve
and transmit knowledge, skills, and wisdom to benefit the people of New
Jersey, the nation, and the world."
There is reason to believe the College will be the victim of negative
publicity if we cooperate in this undertaking with Nike. There is also
speculation that SAS will gather its resources and form a protest. Such an
occurrence, especially with the presence of alumni and guests, could have
devastating effects for The College.
These concerns give rise to the need for discussion. The college will
need to seek the truth about the practices of Nike. We cannot endorse an
event that does not conform to the values and standards the college upholds.
The College will also have to issue a statement explaining its actions no
matter the decision. I recommend, at this time, the formation of a committee
to further analyze the situation and the probable after-effects.
LE