To:

Dominic Volpi, President,

Student Government Association

From:

Calvin Le, ENC 3250 Student

Date:

October 13, 2015

Subject:

FGCU Powerlifting Mock

Competition Proposal (WA3)

Florida Gulf Coast University provides an emphasis on recreational activities as a supplement to

the overall educational experience. Offering multiple facilities such as the aquatics center, the
recreation center, and the Eagle Challenge Course, along with the many Registered Sports Clubs,
students are able to develop healthy life styles, sportsmanship, and leadership (FGCU Campus
Rec). To further encourage usage of these facilities and participation in sports clubs, I propose a
mock powerlifting competition sponsored by the FGCU Powerlifting Club. Powerlifting itself is
a strength sport consisting of the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. A powerlifting
competition has competitors in different weight classes performing the three mentioned lifts for
three attempts each, with the best valid attempt counting toward the overall competition total.
Men and women are able to compete, and in each weight class, the competitor with the highest
total wins (IPF Technical Rules Book). A mock competition would be an imitation of an actual
powerlifting competition.
The proposed event would take place on Sunday, November 1, 2015, in the Alico Arena. It will
be from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, will be a free event, and will offer volunteering and donation
opportunities. Besides the mock competition, the powerlifting team and Robert Keller, Florida
Spokesperson of USA Powerlifting (USAPL), who works closely with the club, will be available
to answer any questions regarding actual competition and the sport in general. For this event to
happen, I am requesting financial assistance of $3,100.
Need for the Event and Comparisons to Similar Events.
A mock powerlifting competition is needed by FGCU because it will gain student interest in the
recreational facilities and Registered Sports Clubs. As stated in the FGCU Department of
Campus Recreation mission statement, a combination of programs, facilities, and services
contribute to the to the overall educational experience (FGCU Campus Rec). Involvement in
these programs may also lead to future career success, as students can become officers,
treasurers, or even president of their sports club
Events and programs similar to my proposal include FGCUs Adaptive Rec Day and FGCUs
Wrestling Showcase. The Adaptive Rec Day, taking place on February 22, 2015, which was
Dominic Volpi
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October 13, 2015

National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day, was an event consisting of multiple sports for all
skill levels (Campus Rec News & Events Blog 1). Similar to my proposed event, Adaptive Rec
Day promoted participation in recreational activities. While my event focuses on a more specific
athlete, it does not exclude students new to powerlifting from learning or even participating. The
second event, the Wrestling Showcase, was a competition hosted in the Alico Arena, featuring
competitors from Florida International University, University of Miami, and University of South
Florida. Wrestling veterans were also available for Q&A, along with a canned food drive
(Campus Rec News & Events Blog 2).
Benefits towards FGCU and its Students
Along with the increased interest in recreational facilities and clubs, my proposed event will also
benefit FGCU as a whole. With more student involvement in sports and programs, FGCU will
stand out more to future students. FGCU will be seen as college offering not only an education,
but also the opportunity for one to cultivate skills that enable lifelong learning and community
engagement (FGCU Campus Rec). With the inclusion of a canned food drive during the event,
the FGCU Food Pantry would also benefit.
Students will also benefit from the event because it can encourage them to participate in the sport
of powerlifting itself, or introduce them to the many other sports clubs. This will lead to the
development of a healthier life style, along with team work and leadership skills that can
contribute to future success. There is also a community aspect to the sports clubs, as a sense of
camaraderie can be established between members, leading into networking and social
opportunities. It is good for students to work with like-minded individuals, as it can motivate
them to be the best they can be. Volunteer opportunities will also be available, offering servicelearning hours. Finally, within powerlifting itself, besides the sport being a competition with
others, it is largely a competition within ones self to test how far they can push themselves.
Costs Required to Run Event
For my proposed event to be properly executed, I am requesting financial assistance of $3,100.
These funds would go towards gear for the competitors and equipment that meet the
specifications of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF Approved List). The approved
gear and equipment would help make the event as similar to an actual competition as possible,
and would give students interested in further competition the chance to use the best equipment
available. The funds towards competitor gear would go towards, for example, weightlifting belts
and singlets. Equipment includes bench and squat racks, and proper lifting platforms. The
specific gear have
Dominic Volpi
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October 13, 2015

all been recommended by members of the FGCU Powerlifting Club. The following budget table
shows how the requested funds would be allocated (excluding tax and shipping), with hyperlinks
to each item:

Category
Gear

Equipmen
t

Item
Inzer Single
Pronged 13 MM
Belt (Small)
Inzer Single
Pronged 13 MM
Belt (Medium)
Inzer Single
Pronged 13 MM
Belt (Large)
Inzer Single
Pronged 13 MM
Belt (Extra Large)
SBD Knee Sleeves
(Medium)
SBD Knee Sleeves
(Large)
SBD Knee Sleeves
(Extra Large)
SBD Wrist Straps,
Stiff (Small)
SBD Wrist Straps,
Stiff (Medium)
Rogue Gym Chalk
(8 blocks)
Rogue Fitness 8x8
Oly Platform
8 Pack of Rubber
Tiles for Platform

Cost
$97.00

Quantity Total
2
$194.00

Remaining
$2,906.00

$97.00

$291.00

$2,615.00

$97.00

$194.00

$2,421.00

$97.00

$97.00

$2,324.00

$90.00

$180.00

$2,144.00

$90.00

$180.00

$2,054.00

$90.00

$90.00

$1,964.00

$47.99

$143.97

$1,820.03

$47.99

$143.97

$1,676.06

$11.99

$23.98

$1,652.08

$255.00

$765.00

$887.08

$265.00

$795.00

$92.08

Additional gear and equipment such as squat suits, bench suits, weight plates, and racks can be
provided by the FGCU Powerlifting Club and the Department of Campus Recreation.
Competitors will need to provide their own singlet approved prior to the event.
For staffing, students will be able to volunteer to load weights, clear platforms, and spot
competitors on the squat and bench press.
Dominic Volpi
Page 4
October 13, 2015

Space and Logistics

Optimally, the event would take place in the Alico Arena, on Sunday, November 1, 2015. Below
is a general floor plan of the arena (Alico Arena). The main lifting area would be in the center
basketball court. Student and visitor seating would be in sections GG, G, FF, F, EE, and E. A
warm-up area will be available for competitors in the Auxiliary Gym located in sections GGG,
FFF,and EEE. Students and visitors wanting to donate cans for the canned food drive can do so
in the main entrance of the arena (not shown).

As far as the availability of the arena on the selected date, according to the FGCU Athletics
Calendar, the arena itself will be unused for any other sports events. If for any reason the arena
will be unusable, the following Sunday, November 8, would also work, as no events are
scheduled either (Athletics Calendar). The selected date also precedes an actual USAPL
Powerlifting meet, which is an open meet taking place on December 13, 2015 (Florida
Powerlifting Schedule). This way, students interested in the sport will be able visit or even
compete in an actual competition.
Dominic Volpi
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October 13, 2015

Logistics wise, no accommodations are necessary for the event to function. Seating is already
covered by the Arena itself, with a capacity of 4,633 (FGCU Athletics). FGCU Powerlifting Club
members will also be able to move equipment into the arena, with most of the equipment located
in the Recreation Center connected to the arena itself. For the visibility of the event, posters can
be made and posted on campus and in the multiple recreational facilities.
Pros of holding the event in Alico Arena are its ample seating and location. Since the arena is in a
location easily accessible by students living in North Lake Village, and close to South Lake
Village, many students will be able to arrive to the event. Cons of the location include student
traffic and parking. On the selected date, the arena is not utilized by any sports or other events,
but according to the athletics calendar, the tennis courts will be used for all day events. This may
lead to conflicts with parking, but can be resolved through carpooling or walking to the event,
since the arena is close to student housing.
Conclusion
I hope that my request sees your approval. I look forward to hearing from you whenever
possible, and feel free to further contact me with any questions regarding the event you may
have.

Dominic Volpi
Page 6
October 13, 2015
References

"Campus Rec About Us." FGCU Campus Rec. Florida Gulf Coast University, n.d. Web. 13 Oct.
2015.
IPF Technical Rules Book. N.p.: International Powerlifting Federation, 24 Nov. 2014. PDF.
Wiebe, Adrienn. "Adaptive Rec Day." Campus Recreation News & Events. Florida Gulf Coast
University, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
Wiebe, Adrienn. "FGCU Wrestling Showcase." Campus Recreation News & Events. Florida Gulf
Coast University, 5 Dec. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
IPF Approved List. N.p.: International Powerlifting Federation, 1 Jan. 2015. PDF.
Alico Arena. Digital image. FGCU Athletics. Florida Gulf Coast University, n.d. Web. 13 Oct.
2015.
"Alico Arena." FGCU Athletics. Florida Gulf Coast University, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
"Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles Athletics Calendar." FGCU Athletics. Florida Gulf Coast
University, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
"Florida Powerlifting 2015 Schedule of Events." Florida Powerlifting. USAPL, 30 Sept. 2015.
Web. 13 Oct. 2015.

Cc:

Dr. Michele Yovanovich, Dean of Student Affairs

Dr. J. Mike Rollo, President of Student Affairs