Some may say Emily Kovatch-Erickson is selling blue sky and dreams. Kovatch-Erickson would disagree. She is the development and grant officer at Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls. It's her job to raise scholarship funds for CVTC students.

"We know it (student financial aid) works," said Kovatch-Erickson. "Students just need support."

According to Kovatch-Erickson, over 80% of CVTC students work full or part-time while at school. She says 94% of CVTC students receiving scholarship funds graduate in their technical field of study or move on to a four-year degree.

"Scholarships are a passion of mine because I understand the impact," said Kovatch-Erickson.

Kovatch-Erickson received a scholarship to CVTC in 2017 and finished her four-year degree in marketing at UW-River Falls. She worked with the River Falls Chamber of Commerce for a few years after graduation. She's been in her current role with CVTC for a little over a year.

"Talk about full circle," said Kovatch-Erickson. "I got to meet my scholarship donor at the May banquet and I told him 'I know you don't remember me, but I remember definitely remember you.’"

Kovatch-Erickson and CVTC Campus Manager Melissa Wilson were recently at Tarnation Tavern in River Falls receiving a gigantic check for $11,000 from the River Falls Sports Broadcasting volunteers.

The non-profit Wildcat broadcasting crew has been donating dollars to other local non-profit groups in River Falls for five years now.

"It all started on a beautiful Sunday evening during a football game at the U.B.O.M.," said volunteer broadcaster Mike Kealy, painting a visual picture similar to his play-by-play duties.

For those wondering what the U.B.O.M. is, it's an acronym for "Urban Barn On Maple," the little red man-cave barn of the undisputed leader of the River Falls Sports Broadcasting group, Kevin Westhuis.

Westhuis, Kealy, Robert Doerre, and Jeff "The Wolfman" Meyer were discussing ideas to give back to the community using their platform. They say they were inspired by the Power of 100 Women group in River Falls and their similar fundraising concept.

Kealy said he blurted out at the U.B.O.M. gathering, "We need to man-up."

The River Falls Sports Broadcasting group's "Man-Up Movement" was started. It is an annual ask to their viewers. 

"All of the 20-plus sports broadcasting volunteers are just trying to make the place they live, better," said Westhuis. "We have our platform. We have our legion of loyal listeners. People are getting this free service (Wildcat sports broadcasts) into their living rooms dependably and maybe they feel compelled to want to give back and help their community when asked."

"Like the line Westy (Westhuis) always says on the broadcasts," said Doerre,-. "The Legion (viewers) is all over it like a pack of dogs on a three-legged cat."

After a number of public service announcements on the Wildcat football and volleyball broadcasts, 110 men donated $100 apiece and in a few short weeks and raised $11,000. All $11,000 will benefit four scholarships for River Falls High School graduates for two semesters each at CVTC. 

"This year's seniors as well as former River Falls High School graduates are encouraged to apply," said Kovatch-Erickson. 

In the background during the official check presentation, a new CVTC "River Otter" banner donned the stage at Tarnation Tavern. CVTC's mascot was the "Tech Tigers" in the 1970's but that went away in the 1980's according to Kovatch-Erickson. "Ollie the River Otter" is the new mascot. Kovatch-Erickson and Wilson were excited about "Ollie." 

"We're growing and exploding and it's a cool way to help with that sense of identity," said Kovatch-Erickson.