Chargers Club Change-Up
The Chargers Club was founded more than 30 years ago by 10 New London women committed to supporting Colby-Sawyer's student-athletes. Led by former Colby-Sawyer physical education teacher, Legends Society member and trustee emerita Pat Kelsey and the club's first chairperson, Gusta Teach (1982-1992), the founders helped student-athletes gain the attention and funding they needed. The Chargers Club has continued to develop under the strong governance of successive chairs Jen Ellis '85 (1992-2009), Tamsen Bolte Snyder '04 (2009- 2013) and, most recently, Elizabeth “Beth” Sargent Fenton '94, who took office in spring 2013.
Fenton's devotion to Colby-Sawyer is anchored to her ties in the region, as was true for the leaders before her. After graduating with a B.S. in child studies, the former Gilford, N.H., resident went into education; Fenton currently teaches first grade at Kearsarge Elementary School in Bradford, N.H. In 2003, she married Peter Fenton, co-owner of Appleseed Restaurant and Catering and Lake Sunapee Cruises. Living locally has been beneficial to her Chargers Club leadership, but Fenton's involvement goes beyond her proximity to campus. “Yes, I'm invested in the larger community, but I also care very much about athletics at Colby-Sawyer,” said Fenton. “For me, the best way to give back to a college that gave me so much is to give my time to the Chargers Club.”
Fenton was a volleyball player during her four years at Colby-Sawyer. She remains thankful for her student-athlete experience and wants to ensure that future student-athletes have the same opportunities, that they have proper equipment and facilities, and that they get their due with awards and recognition. “I chose Colby-Sawyer because I could play volleyball at the college level while getting the education that I wanted,” said Fenton. “I had the best four-year experience.”
Fenton's vision for the future of the Chargers Club includes maintaining traditions—like funding the Student Awards Banquet, hosting the annual Chargers Tennis Tournament and supporting alumni weekend events—while mixing in new events. This spring, Fenton and fellow board members hosted receptions on the indoor track during women's and men's basketball games. “The reception got us noticed, and that is a critical goal,” said Fenton. “We'd like to host additional receptions, perhaps one per season and at a variety of venues, and reach out to more of our student-athletes, parents, fans, community members and supporters.”
Another goal for the Chargers Club is recruitment. Fenton encourages friends, neighbors, alumni and others who are passionate about Colby-Sawyer athletics to join the organization at the level that works best for them. “Being involved with the Chargers Club can mean making a donation, serving on the board, sitting on a committee or flipping burgers during Alumni Weekend,” said Fenton. “We want people to know that our student-athletes are worth it.”
To learn more or to join the Chargers Club, visit www.colby-sawyer.edu/chargers.
-by Kellie Spinney, communications and online content coordinator, College Communications
