I’m not sure whose idea it was to get a group of faculty, staff, and administrators to go to today’s Ocelot basketball game together, but I do know that attending the game had real benefits.

Although I am sure that our team appreciated having us supplement their loud cheering section, the real benefits to which I am speaking were mine.

Between teaching classes, coordinating the Writing Fellows program, providing service to the college and community, continuing to develop as a professional, and working on other projects, when I am on campus, I tend to be very busy. As a result, I rarely take time to just have fun with Schoolcraft colleagues; colleagues whom I genuinely like and with whom I enjoy spending time.

Last night, when we joined each other for dinner, the only “college business” we discussed was our own college experiences. Then, at the game, we cheered on our team while ogling Stacey’s baby, eating popcorn, and enjoying each other’s company. Instead of talking about databases, Wayne and I talked about digital cameras. And Deb shared our “victory hands” with a boy who was attending the game with his mother.

Sometimes, I work too hard and forget to play. Stepping out of my busy routine to relax with colleagues was an ideal way to spend the evening. Furthermore, no meeting could have been as effective at strengthening the bonds that help us work together as was an evening spent cheering the Lady Ocelot’s to victory.

–Steven L. Berg, PhD

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