Cougars job fair draws crowd, older workers to Geneva

More than 300 people showed up Saturday to apply for part-time positions at the Kane County Cougars job fair in Geneva.

"It was definitely the highest attendance we've had," said Cougars media relations coordinator Shawn Touney.

The job fair was for first-time applicants only, not returning employees, and many in attendance were not the traditional high school or college age job seeker.

Scott Snedden of Warrenville, 65 and retired from the video business, was applying for an usher's job.

"The way the market's been going, I saw it as an opportunity for some supplemental income," Snedden said.

A Class A minor league baseball team, the Cougars drew nearly 473,000 in attendance last year during 70 home games at Elfstrom Stadium. They will employ about 600 people part time during the season ­­- as many as 400 a game - as ushers, parking lot attendants, beer vendors and souvenir shop clerks.

Tom Spadafora of Aurora was applying for a job as concession stand manager.

Since he lost his full-time job in the mattress manufacturing industry in January, he has worked part time and started his own specialty business sanitizing mattresses.

"I'm only 10 minutes away and I always thought this would be a good place to work," Spadafora said. "I'm looking for extra money to support myself and this is a fun atmosphere when you love baseball."

Allen Paprocki of West Chicago likes bringing his children to watch the Cougars. He has been at home with them while his wife works since he lost his job right before the holidays. He was applying to be an usher.

"I want to supplement my income and it seems like a good place to work," Paprocki said.

Cougars employee Jon Williams of Sugar Grove was taking photos as part of the application process.

"Without a doubt, there are more applicants here this year," Williams said.

"This is about what we expected," Cougars general manager Jeff Sedivy said of the heavy attendance. "We're hoping that we can pick up some of their needs, but people will have to support the ballpark."