By Andrew Walsh
 awalsh@wbcowqel.com

When asked why he wanted to work at the Bucyrus Area YMCA, new director of operations Nate Smith responded, “I think there’s a huge opportunity for growth here. I saw a place that had a lot of potential.”

Smith, an Ashland native, attended Baldwin-Wallace University where he earned degrees in sports management and business management. He played soccer, which he described as his “favorite sport and passion” for four years during his studies.

After school he returned to Ashland where he began work as the youth program director at the Ashland YMCA. Smith was promoted from that post to the role of associate executive director, which he held for about 18 months before coming to Bucyrus.

During the course of his studies, Smith realized he wanted to work in community organizations. As he outlined it, there are three real career paths for people in sports management: professional sports, collegiate sports, and non-profit. He quickly ruled out working in professional sports, describing it as a “cog in the wheel” experience.

“I never got the community satisfaction I got out of working for non-profits,” Smith said.

Over the course of the conversation it quickly became evident that this community focus was much more than just rhetoric to Smith. If actions speak louder than words then the fact that he had already moved to Bucyrus before his first day on the job should explain everything one needs to know.

“It was something that was really important to me, living in the community,” Smith added. “You can’t be part of the community if you’re not in the community.”

In six weeks on the job he has already added to the programs on offer, and plans to add more. Yoga has been added to the fitness schedule, as well as Move-Up (a combination of Pilates and dance class), and more silver sneaker programs. As he gets more time to settle in he expects more programs to be added to that list.

“We want to add more value to our memberships. More classes, more programs, and more benefits. We want more reasons for you to be here,” Smith continued.

Part of the conversation revolved around the idea that the YMCA is more than just a gym. It is a place for people to go to “get fit”, but it is also a community center. On Dec. 14 the Y is sponsoring a “Christmas Night Out” for parents by offering baby-sitting services from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be food and activities for the kids and it will allow parents to have an evening to themselves knowing that their children are in a safe and constructive environment. The cost is $5 per child for members and $10 per child for non-members. That rate is a flat fee and includes the cost of the food.

Smith has a touch of the salesman in him too. Smith said that when he meets people in the community who are not members that is the question that he always poses.

Smith also heavily stressed the financial assistance for memberships, using the YMCA slogan of, “the YMCA will never turn anyone away for the inability to pay,” and he encouraged anyone with questions about this program to come to the YMCA and check it out.

“There is something here for everyone in your family. We want to slowly change the people’s idea of what the YMCA is and can be.”