Assisting with parking, ticket gates and bleacher patrol, students in Mike Burnette’s criminal justice/cyber crime programs at Southwestern Community College learn first-hand skills in crowd control while supporting Jackson County Special Olympics at the same time. From left are Jan Craig of Franklin, Jennifer Coggins of Cullowhee, Adam Cutler , Lauren Connor and Kevin Price, all of Whittier, and Berita Fox of Franklin.

The scenario: How to get criminal justice students to apply group mass control skills learned in the classroom. And is there anyway to tie those skills into supporting a special community cause?

It didn’t take Southwestern Community College criminal justice/cyber crime instructor Mike Burnette and his students long to identify the solution.

By partnering with SCC’s Student Support Services, Western Carolina University and the Show Pro Group, the students discovered they could practice their skills in a real-life scenario and, at the same time, raise money for the Jackson County Chapter of Special Olympics.

If they volunteered to work crowd control at WCU’s home football games, the students would be paid $7.50 per hour. But the money wouldn’t go in their pocket. Instead they would donate the funds to Special Olympics.

“Do the math,” said Cheryl Contino-Conner, SCC director of student support services, who first approached Burnette with the volunteer opportunity. “With 15 workers per game at $7.50 per hour for five games working five hours per game we can raise $2812.50 for Special Olympics.”

“I presented the case to my students,” said Burnette, “and they jumped on it.”

“I thought it would be a good learning experience,” said CJ student Kevin Price of Whittier. “Plus, I had some free time on football Saturdays so I thought it would also be a great way for me to give back to the community.”

“We are always looking for practical experience outside the classroom…well, this was it,” said Berita Fox of Franklin, president of SCC’s Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Technology Student Association.

Fox worked the ticket gate and helped patrol the bleachers at the Elon game.

“When a particular group got rowdy, or would constantly stand up and block the view for everybody behind them, I asked them to comply with the rules. Once or twice it took more than one asking, but I handled the situation,” Fox said.

Fellow student Jennifer Coggins of Cullowhee helped direct traffic and parking at the game while others in her class scanned tickets and assisted with reserve seating..

“And I don’t even like football,” said Coggins, “but I support the project.”

“All of these duties related to crowd control are activities they could be doing in the field as criminal justice practioners,” said Burnette. “They learn how to interact with large groups of people, they monitor like law enforcement, and they do so in a professional manner…friendly, yes, but professional.”

But not only are the students gaining life experience, Burnette pointed out, they are learning about and contributing to Special Olympics.

“I have a special needs son and I know Special Olympics doesn’t receive enough support,” said Fox. “That’s one of the main reasons I volunteered.”

Price, who didn’t know much about Special Olympics, said he got involved to learn more about the organization.

Although she didn’t get to work the Elon game, Jan Craig of Franklin, who will be working the Nov. 17 Furman game, said one of her reasons for volunteering was to get involved in the community.

“It’s a wonderful community and civic involvement opportunity for the SCC students,” said Pat Beasley, Jackson County Special Olympics coordinator.

“Mike and I told our students to ask themselves, ‘Have I volunteered in any community program more worthy this week?’” said Contino-Conner. “The response from our students has just been amazing.”

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