Colorado Time - Interview |
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Jeff Chida and Donated ScoreboardsJeff Chida volunteers his time to install donated scoreboards. "It happened completely by accident," said Jeff Chida, computer systems consultant. "I fixed a scoreboard at an outdoor swim meet in our local swim club and the chairman of the Minnesota local swim club, David Braun, appointed me as the new equipment chairperson." Chida has designed photo credit card issuance systems for major banks around the world. "If you have a credit card or drivers license with a digital photo, signature or fingerprint, it is quite possible it derived from one of my designed systems." Chida has a background in computers, electronics and cryptology, which began with his tours in the Marine Corps. The IdeaBoth of Chida's children swim for high school, club or college teams, depending on the season. "I had an idea to maximize the limited resources of these organizations by contacting the major timing equipment manufacturers for discounts if I could coordinate orders of any relative significance," he said. CTS was the only manufacturer to respond. Chida arranged with Colorado Time Systems (CTS) to sell CTS equipment in Minnesota, in volume at a discount. Chida has also arranged to redistribute old boards to facilities that need them. As part of Chida's efforts, Rochester Family YMCA and Med-City Aquatics received new scoreboards and donated their old ones to two Century high schools, John Marshall and Mayo. Chida donated his time and installed the equipment. According to Chida, "it has been quite successful for everyone involved. The recent donation/installation of the reconditioned equipment to my local community's two high school pools is an end result. But it won't stop there." Chida plans to continue to acquire, recondition and distribute equipment throughout the swimming community to promote the sport of swimming. He lives in Rochester, in southeastern Minnesota, and has worked with schools and organizations throughout the state of Minnesota. To date, he has installed 21 scoreboards (including repairs and moves), resurfaced 88 starting blocks, repaired and tuned 4 in-deck systems, reconditioned 27 diving boards, and installed all the ancillary equipment. For the current project, two boards were donated from the YMCA and eight boards were donated by Med-City Aquatics, including all installation hardware and related costs. The only stipulation: if a newer or enhanced timing system is installed at either school site, the old scoreboards are to be returned to Med-City Aquatics or the YMCA so the donations can be used elsewhere within the swimming community. Additional BenefitsChida has also designed enhanced Bose sound systems for three schools at no cost so they can focus more of their limited resources on benefiting the athletes and spectators. "I'm sure almost everyone has been to at least one swim meet where the equipment continually malfunctioned and the announcing/sound was useless," he said. Chida continues, "I also offered my installation services/labor for free in exchange for whatever outdated or excess timing equipment remained to be used to benefit other facilities within the swimming community." "I am an eternal optimist and believe you can inspire others to action by proper conduct and example. In fact, I truly believe in the 'pay it forward' effect that has inspired the Hibbing High School coach, who also donated for the benefit of their new CTS scoreboard," said Chida. "I wish to continue to foster that kind of charity and will endeavor to do so until it is no more fun. I do not envision that happening anytime soon, in my case." Mark Polansky, the CTS sales consultant who works with Chida on these types of projects said "Jeff is making a significant difference for aquatic facilities in Minnesota. CTS is glad to be a part of this." CTS will provide school logos and signage to adorn the scoreboards in the future. For additional information on scoreboard donations, contact Mark Polansky at sales@coloradotime.com or call 970-667-1000. |
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