Greeting guests

Nancy Sabbag and I’ve been fortunate this weekend to be “hosts” for George Washington University’s team and staff. The responsibilities for this assignment are not august. Our team’s coaches and staff are experienced and know what they need to do; it doesn’t involve help from us. We did bake a few cookies and assemble some flower arrangements to greet them. Several of the other hosts came to my house to make the flower arrangements.

I have been more challenged to see whether I might do something to help the team’s fans. Traveling from coast to coast is a time-consuming and expensive undertaking—might they want some guidance for finding coffee, San Francisco tour information, or the time of Easter service at Memorial Church? Or, at least feel that they are noticed and welcome?

I prepared a restaurant list for Town & Country and carried Stanford University campus maps. I can offer some insight into Palo Alto, but I’m not a replacement for a good hotel concierge, nor do I want to be. What could I do to welcome other fans? Routinely-- during the entire season?

I have found that saying hello and welcome to Stanford, and engaging in basketball and travel conversation works well. This was easy for Nancy and me since there were so few Colonial fans who came. (It was also easy for us since GW isn’t playing Stanford, and we could wish them a victory!)

What else could/should we do? What would you be willing to do during the season when other fans follow their teams?