Steph Chambers | mlive.com
PORTAGE, MI – With two seconds left on the clock, Lonny Carpenter drained a high-arching shot to send his team, Wolfpack, to the next round of the 2nd annual Stryker employee 3-on-3 basketball tournament Thursday at the East Milham facility in Portage.
In unison, more than 100 Stryker employees yelled a collective, “Ohhhh!” and clapped for the team, made up of CEO Kevin Lobo, Vice President and CFO Bill Jellison, Vice President/Human Resources Steve Benscoter, and Carpenter, group president of global quality and operations. In Spanish, Lobo means Wolf.
The tournament continues Friday and is a kickoff event for Stryker Corp.’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way. The campaign goal is set at almost $1.4 million.
“Stryker is an incredible corporate partner to United Way but really to our community,” said Mike Larson, President and CEO of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. “What they’re doing today is showing support for that, from a corporate standpoint and employee standpoint. Having a good time, but at the same time giving back to the community in ways that are helping people right here in Kalamazoo.”
Whether employees are on the court — 85 players made up 23 teams — or cheering on the sidelines, Lobo said it’s exciting to discover employees’ skills.
“We get to see a different side to our employees, and that just makes us even a tighter family,” Lobo said. “We always think of Stryker being based and founded in Kalamazoo as kind of a big family oriented company. Events like this help to reinforce that.”
In addition to senior executives and employees of all levels participating, Western Michigan University head basketball coach Steve Hawkins and Von Washington, executive director of community relations for the Kalamazoo Promise, officiated the tournament.
The high attendance, which made it tough to find even a small spot on the courthouse-donated bleachers, was what Washington expected.
“I am not surprised that this was such a good turnout,” Washington said. “The culture here at Stryker just says there are people that enjoy working here.”
August will be dedicated to benefit United Way, and in addition to the basketball tournament, Stryker plans to raise money though a bake sale, cake and cupcake decorating contest and a “Food Wars” cooking event.
“They have been so creative in how you can motivate and encourage your fellow employees and staff to be involved with United Way, and moreover, be involved in our community,” Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell said. “We need every company in the area to take a look at what they’re doing and duplicate this because that will help increase the giving in a different way.”
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Bill Jellison, CFO of Stryker, tries to grab a rebound against Jason Mase on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
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Jason Mace dunks the ball over Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
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Von Washington, of the Kalamazoo Promise, officiates a game on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
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Vice president of human resources Steven Benscoter can’t pull in a rebound against Mike Strickler on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
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Quay Eady, associate manager of business analytics, cheers for her fellow employees on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
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Styker CEO Kevin Lobo high fives employees on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 during the Stryker Corporation 3-on-3 basketball tournament at their East Milham facility. The event kickoffed Stryker’s Pacesetter campaign for United Way.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
