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Custodial Olympics

December 13, 2024

President Ryan participates in first-ever E&G Custodial Services event

E&G Custodial Services team members pose with President Jim Ryan during the Custodial Olympics in August
E&G Custodial Services team members pose with President Jim Ryan during the Custodial Olympics in August. (Photo courtesy of President Jim Ryan)

E&G Custodial Services hosted its first-ever, multi-zone Olympics event in August, including special guest UVA President Jim Ryan.

“One of my favorite UVA moments was participating in [the] first ever Custodial Olympics,” President Ryan shared on his social media channels. “The four zones that make up Facilities Management [E&G Custodial Services] came together for a day of fun, camaraderie, and team building — participating in games that incorporate their daily activities and tools of the trade.”

Newcomb Zone Manager Tracy Tinoco organized the event, along with Central Grounds Zone Manager Michael Pouliot, Southwest McCormick Zone Manager Joe Newton and Health System Physical Plant Zone Manager Hattie Agee. Tinoco called on her experience organizing a similar Custodial Olympics event in 2022 that only included staff members in the Newcomb Zone.

“Since 2022 we have been wanting to go bigger,” Tinoco said of the 2024 event which included 135 employees from all four zones.

The Custodial Olympics event included 135 employees competing in multiple games.
The Custodial Olympics event included 135 employees competing in multiple games, including this “Mop-stacle” course. (Photo courtesy of President Jim Ryan)

Staff members donned T-shirts they specially designed for the day while they participated in multiple events, including Toilet Bowl Bowling (the most popular game), a “Mop-stacle” course and Green Bag Gauntlet, which involved searching for items within a compost bag full of paper towels.

The goal of the day was to support team building and camaraderie across the four zones, the Newcomb Zone manager said.

“Employees across the four zones don't really get to see each other,” she said. “We wanted to bring them together to bridge those gaps, bridge those lines drawn between each zone.” And Tinoco decided to extend the invite to President Ryan when reflecting on an appreciation event in the spring that included both employees and the UVA president.

“I thought how wonderful it would be if President Ryan came to our event,” she said. “Often custodial is overlooked, and I thought, how do we let our employees know that they are seen, and they are appreciated? What better way to show them there is an investment in who they are then have President Ryan show up at their event.”


About the author

Jane Centofante
Communications senior generalist
UVA Facilities Management
(434) 982-5846
janecentofante@virginia.edu