Forsyth Tech Welding Students Forge Custom Chair Caddie for Athletics

The Forsyth Tech Trailblazers athletics department is getting a helping hand from another group on campus: the Welding Technology program. Under the expert guidance of Welding Technologies Program Coordinator Patrick Helton, a group of talented welding students has designed and fabricated a custom chair caddie that will be a game-changer for transporting and storing bench chairs.

This collaborative project showcases the exceptional skills being developed at Forsyth Technical Community College. The athletics department frequently needs to move numerous chairs for various events, practices, and games. The new caddie, meticulously crafted by the welding students, offers a durable, efficient, and custom-fit solution at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a chair caddie through an outside vendor. 

"When our academic departments step into the athletic space, powerful things can happen," said Forsyth Tech Athletics Director Shelly Barnes. "Patrick Helton and his welding students didn't just build us a chair caddie - they literally helped construct part of the foundation of our athletic program. That's the kind of hands-on, interdisciplinary collaboration we want to foster; students using their skills in real-time to support student-athletes. It's hands-on learning, school pride, and teamwork - all rolled into one."

The students involved in the project gained invaluable experience, applying their classroom knowledge to a tangible, useful product. From initial design and measurements to cutting, welding, and finishing, they tackled every stage of the fabrication process. This hands-on experience not only reinforces their technical skills but also provides a sense of pride in contributing to the campus community and builds a relationship between athletics and another department on campus.

"As a fabricator by trade, watching my students develop skills that will enable them to make a good living is inspirational," said Welding Technologies Program Coordinator Patrick Helton. "Seeing the students, together as a team, create an idea and bring it to life gives me hope in our future of the trades."

The new chair caddie will be put into immediate use, making a noticeable difference in the efficiency of the athletics department's day-to-day operations. This initiative is a prime example of the innovative spirit and collaborative environment that thrives at Forsyth Tech, showcasing how different departments can come together to support each other and benefit the entire campus.

(Above) Welding Technologies Program Coordinator Patrick Helton is pictured with the new chair caddie.

(Above) Bench chairs are perfectly stored on the new chair caddie.