Warrensburg Main Street is fortunate to have the University of Central Missouri located just blocks from downtown. The university is home to over 7,000 undergraduate students from all over Missouri and the world. Throughout the years we have relied on university students to help in a variety of capacities ranging from building websites, creating and managing community events, collaboration and implementation of new office procedures, overnight event security, interns and general volunteers at events and on committees. We have a strong relationship with the university and consider them one of our vital community partners.
In 2024, we had extreme growth in our collaboration specifically with the University of Central Missouri’s athletic department. Student athletes make up approximately 8 percent of the total student body at UCM. These Division II Athletes have a rigorous schedule that includes practice, travel, sporting events, weights, and of course studying. Their free time is extremely limited and we are honored that they have chosen to volunteer with Warrensburg Main Street.
UCM student athletes have been a constant support at downtown clean ups and other office organization efforts, contributing over 300 volunteer hours to our organization over the past year.
In 2024 we saw them step up in a big way with their support of our annual fall festival, Burg Fest Street Fair. The festival has over 20,000 visitors over the course of Friday night and all day Saturday. It takes hours of preparation, logistics and manpower to create and implement such a large event.When it came time to coordinate the logistics for the festival set up, we made the call to the athletics department and the students showed up with over 50 athletes ready to work. Teams such as UCM Mules Basketball, UCM Jennies Basketball, UCM Wrestling, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee have all played a key role, with athletes helping move over 100 fence panels, erecting multiple festival tents and organizing our office with enthusiasm. Their continued collaboration has been vital in promoting community cooperation and strengthening our mission. Due to the large number of volunteers, a task that would normally take several hours was done in under one hour. This contribution set the festival up for success as well as giving the Main Street staff valuable time to focus on other logistics for the event. Their support for the festival did not stop there. Multiple students returned over the course of the weekend to help with the dreaded task of emptying the over 60 rolling trash cans into the dumpsters. They rolled up their sleeves and pant legs to shovel trash so the festival could remain clean and tidy for the community to enjoy.
Having the athletes commit volunteer time to our community and downtown shows the depth of character and commitment to excellence that these students display. The willingness of the university to encourage community support shows their commitment to Warrensburg. Warrensburg Main Street was thrilled to be able to award them our 2024 Community Partner of the Year at our annual Evening of Excellence ceremony in January. We are honored to nominate the Mules and Jennies of the University of Central Missouri as our Missouri Main Street Connections Premier Partners for 2025.