Don Richards

If you melt dry ice, and try to swim in it, do you get wet? That stunning question came from a comic named Stephen Wright. Scott Sekelsky, newly hired Falcon athletics fundraiser, may not be able to answer that one, but he can respond reflectively on many others I've posed.

I asked how and when he became aware of the fundraiser position.

He first thought about fundraising as a job while in a discussion with Alison Page, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health (WWH). He had been working as a fitness director at WWH for 13 years and was ready for a career change. The result of that discussion produced the realization for Sekelsky that he was passionate about fundraising, especially for athletics, so he emailed Rick Foy, Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement, to inquire about how to get into the field of fundraising. Two weeks later during a breakfast meeting with Foy, Sekelsky found that not only did Foy know how to get into the field, but said that UWRF had a position open in fundraising for athletics.

"Because it looked like a perfect fit for me, I applied and here I am," he said.

But the perfect fit feeling was not apparent to Sekelsky a few years earlier. In his early 20's he went to school to learn to be a surgical technician.

"I found that work was not for me. Then when I was 25 I decided to go back to school at the University of Minnesota to explore my options. In one class I met someone that was going to be attending UW-River Falls in the fall. I didn't even know where River Falls was located. I looked into it and decided to move to River Falls having NO idea what I would study.

"At that same point in my life, I had started running. Someone on the cross-country team approached me about joining the team. I went home and looked up 'cross country' as I literally didn't know what that was. I decided to take a leap and I joined the team. That decision changed my life forever! It got me hooked on exercise as a lifestyle and in addition led me to my degree in exercise science. In addition, I returned in 2005 as a volunteer assistant coach for track.

"In 2007 I was named the head women's cross country and distance track coach. Pretty good for someone that didn't even know what the sport was in 1995!"

Sekelsky says his biggest challenge is realizing he has to be patient. It takes time to build relationships and trust with people because, "fundraising doesn't happen overnight."

He feels well supported in his new role.

"I have had a one-on-one meeting with every head coach. They seem glad to have someone in this position. Director of Athletics Crystal Lanning and her staff have been very supportive and helpful."

I asked whether he found opposition to fundraising for athletics. He says it's too early to say where opposition to funding for athletics comes from, but he hopes to avoid that by speaking to people who are passionate about the need.

At least two other WIAC schools have a position similar to Sekelsky's. He says he has been given suggestions from the UW-Stout person, and that UW-La Crosse also has a similar position.

He says he has had several "nice contributions" from football alumni. He is working on making the annual giving days, April 4-5, more successful.

Which facilities does he think are in most need of funds for improvement?

"The bleachers need improvement and there are other needs outside like turf for both soccer and a practice baseball space. Ultimately, a covered practice facility with turf as well. I'll be busy!” 

Busy for sure, but not afraid of the challenge. I wish I could say the same. Lots of people are afraid of heights. I'm afraid of widths. That's another Stephen Wright original.

And that's a wrap for this version of The Skinny on Falcon Sports.