Player of the Week: Phil Guengerich

Phil Guengerich mans the grill during an EMU athletic event, selling hamburgers, hotdogs, and other concessions. (Photo: Jason Godshall)

It’s mid-April, and the school year is winding down. There are volleyballs bouncing around on the sand courts and baseball and softball games to watch. And what baseball game would be complete without a hamburger or hot dog from the concession stand? It may seem hard to believe, but before the arrival of Phil Guengerich eight years ago, EMU didn’t even have concession stands.

“When I got here there were no concessions or anything. I mean there was next to nothing,” says Guengerich. After 30 years teaching fifth grade, Guengerich accepted a part-time, 25-hour- a-week job as Athletic Events Coordinator at EMU. Since then it has grown to a full-time position, and he has been in charge of ticket sales, concessions, game events, and some fundraising.

Guengrich’s concession stands are a big hit among students and fans. Some students say the food is expensive, but he promises to provide the best quality hamburgers and hot dogs he can. Guengerich stated, “I do try to pick good products and that’s why some cost more, but I always figured if you’re going to do something, do it right.” Junior Miles Musselman enjoyed one of Guengerich’s burgers at Wednesday’s baseball game. “For three dollars, it’s definitely worth it, because at a Phillies game I’d be paying a couple dollars more for a lower quality product. Phil is magic on the grill.” But Guengerich doesn’t take any credit beyond his selection of good products. “Some say that I have something to do with them, but I won’t go that far,” he said.

As a sports enthusiast himself, Guengerich enjoys being a spectator while he’s manning the grill at games. “A day like today you can’t beat,” he said, “but I also love a nice crisp day out at a soccer game. There is not one sport I don’t enjoy, and that’s probably because I know the athletes and I enjoy them.”

Guengerich also gives a lot of credit to his work study students. “At this point in the year I don’t need to tell them what to do. They know exactly what to do and they do it right. They take pride in what they do. I’ve been extremely lucky in getting good kids, and that’s why I’m here.”