EMU Student-Athletes Continue to Give Back

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Throughout the 2013-14 academic year, student-athletes from each of Eastern Michigan University’s 21 varsity programs took time out of their academic and athletic schedules to help out around the Ypsilanti community. With emphasis on giving back to our local and campus communities, the student-athletes collectively participated in approximately 2,000 volunteer hours.

“Engaging with our community is an ongoing focus for our Department of Athletics, coaches and student-athletes,” added EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. “Our student-athletes have risen to the occasion by participating in many events this year. We are particularly grateful to the 2nd & 7 Foundation for the books they provided us that we were able to give to 2nd graders throughout the Ypsilanti schools. There is no greater lesson our student-athlete learn than the importance of giving back to others. And there is no greater moment than watching the joy on a child’s face when they are impacted by our student-athletes.”

One of the most prevalent initiatives created during the year was the 2nd & 7 Foundation. The program started in 1999 by Luke Fickell, Ryan Miller, and Mike Vrable, who are three former Ohio State University student-athletes. The trio instilled the importance of community outreach while playing football and continues to pay it forward through the foundation’s “Tackling Illiteracy” program. During EMU’s new initiative, more than 200 student-athletes visited 24 total second grade classrooms between six different Ypsilanti elementary schools. The 2nd & 7 Foundation writes and publishes a new book every year, and 700 second grade students were given donated books as a part of the program to tackle illiteracy.

In addition to Eastern’s efforts in elementary literacy, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) raised $950 for the Ypsilanti Community Schools Foundation by hosting the annual Jock Jamz, a student-athlete talent show. S.A.A.C. also spearheaded an effort to support the Angel Tree Program with the local Salvation Army.

Student-athletes from each varsity program also devoted time to help the community as a team. Most recently, the football team participated in the first annual EMU Victory Day on June 27. The coaches and student-athletes hosted 22 cognitively and physically impaired children at Rynearson Stadium, who participated in football-related activities and were presented with a medal at the end of the day. The women’s gymnastics team went out into the community during a “Get Off Your Glass” outreach, during which time they cleaned up the school playgrounds and parks and spent time marking drains on campus to assist with storm water management. More community interaction was done by the women’s basketball team when the squad went to the Glacier Hills Retirement Home and participated in EMU’s Autism Collaborative Center Family Fun Night. For Valentine’s Day, members of the softball and women’s golf teams went to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital to personally deliver cards to patients.

Teams also participated in fundraising and collection throughout the year. On Sept. 22, the women’s soccer team raised over $5,000 for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition when it recognized its match as Cancer Awareness Day. The women’s swimming program made and donated blankets to children at Mott Hospital, and the EMU wrestling team purchased supplies and ingredients to serve approximately 40 people at the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor.

The Athletics Department also joined up with the University on May 10 for the American Heart Association Heart Walk, in which over 4,000 participants walked five kilometers to raise money and awareness for heart disease. Overall, EMU raised $33,000 for the Heart Association, surpassing its original participation and fundraising goals.

NEW ORLEANS – Two New Orleans entities benefitted from some community service work last Friday, July 18, as Tulane Green Wave student-athletes visited KIPP Believe and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The work done by the student-athletes is a continuation of a community service initiative that the Tulane athletic department has committed to participating in around the Greater New Orleans area every Friday of the summer.

A majority of the student-athletes who participated in Friday’s activities headed down to KIPP Believe’s new campus on South Carrollton Ave. to do some renovations to the campus. Football’s Jamar Thomas, Logan Hamilton, Richard Allen, Sherman Badie, Matthew Bailey, Kedrick Banks, Eric Bell, Eric Bowie, Aaron Bryant, Tristan Cooper, Glen Cuiellette, Leonard Davis, Andrew DiRocco, Sean Donnelly, Lorenzo Doss, Braynon Edwards, Dontrell Hilliard, Luke Jackson, Devon Johnson, Charles Jones, Royce LaFrance, John Leglue, Donnie Lewis, Stephon Lofton, Sergio Medina, Parry Nickerson, Alex Paul, Andre Robinson, Kenneth Santa Marina, Trey Scott, Nathan Shienle, Nate Skold, Tanzel Smart, Casey Spinelli, Chris Taylor, Calvin Thomas, Eldrick Washington and Peter Woullard were joined by men’s basketball’s Keith Pinckney and baseball’s Sam Martin, Jackson Johnson and Brady Wilson as they performed a variety of renovations to the campus. Many of the student-athletes disposed of old furniture and materials to make room for new accommodations that they unloaded from trucks and brought into the campus.

The mission of KIPP is to create a respected, influential and national network of public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character and habits need to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond.

Out in Elmwood, Associate Athletic Director/SWA Sue Bower took a group solely comprised of football student-athletes to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Brandon LeBeau, Tanner Lee, Nico Marley, Darion Monroe, Taurean Nixon, Devin Powell, Josh Rounds, Jason Stewart, Lazedrick Thompson, Arturo Uzdavinis, Fudge Van Hooser, Kyle Davis, Anthony Taylor, Xavier Rush and Richard Carthon – who pulls double-duty as a student-athlete as he also stars for the baseball team – had to don long pants and sweatshirts in the middle of the summer, which was a nice change of pace from the hot weather the team has conditioned in throughout June and July. The group itemized and categorized donated food while in a cooler that was set around 60 degrees, hence the warm clothing.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans and Acadiana hopes to lead the fight against hunger and build food security in south Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education and disaster response.

“With only one more community service event remaining, Tulane student-athletes continue to make a huge impact around the Greater New Orleans area,” stated Tulane ASC senior academic counselor Charlotte Battiest. “We will end our community service here on campus by hosting a Health and Wellness Fair from 2-4pm at the LBC Quad next Friday. The focus will be on educating the youth about nutrition and exercise.”

Source: http://www.tulanegreenwave.com/genrel/072214aaa.html

While many collegiate athletes are not in the public eye, there are those who are. Some go on to stay in that view as professional athletes and the rest who don’t make it that far take what they learned into the future paths of his or her life.

The NCAA athletes are brought into the team for a reason and from that moment on are always a representative of his or her school and team.

There are many different NCAA sponsored initiatives within communities that teams reside and play in. Many of the outreach events are planned around a larger event, i.e. Basketball Final Four, to bring together the athletes, coaches, and members of the community to participate in serving a cause or organization that helps others.

At the 2014 Women’s Basketball Final Four in Nashville, Tennessee, the impact made by the NCAA and its athletes will not quickly be forgotten. And that doesn’t even begin to include the actual Final Four event. Many different NCAA sponsored and partnered organizations came together to reach over 2,000 children in the Nashville area. According to NCAA.com, “The purpose of the NCAA Community Outreach 101 is to teach youth about social responsibility through service learning and to encourage participation in volunteer opportunities, enhance existing projects and foster a lifelong commitment to community service.” Many different clinics and events were held in the days before the Women’s Final Four began with involvement for the children and the athlete members.

NCAA Division II has its own website dedicated to the community programs that the NCAA Division II registered schools are a part of, as well as Division II as a whole. Upon opening the homepage, one can find a scroll of videos, news stories, and links that talk about the different engagement programs that Division II schools have participated in. Some events are well known, while others are unique to the school or team in participation. sornt6xtpq2e2bndDivision II is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which works to grant the “wishes” of children with life-threatening illnesses. In 2012 alone, the Division II schools raised almost $2.5 million to benefit the foundation, along with helping in the completion of a “wish.” Other schools or teams have taken to creating their own way of involving the community in other ways than just a typical game. UNC-Pembroke puts on “The Senior Games”, which brings senior citizens together to compete in Olympic type events in all different sporting disciplines. Clark-Atlanta created a community engagement committee to take a look into what was already being done by the school and NCAA to see what the athletic department and programs, as well as the university, together could do to benefit the community.

In short, community service and engagement are cultivated in an athletes mind from the very beginning, as a young athlete whole attends a sponsored event or camp to the college athletes who are putting on the camp or clinic to the professional associations that come for a select few athletes. It starts at the beginning and works to shape how important it is to give back to the community in any situation and in any way that is possible, small or large.

Source: http://tamaraodonnell729.spreadable.info/2014/06/30/get-invovled-with-the-ncaa/

MADISON, Wis. — When the UW Athletic Department unveiled the Badgers Give Back program in September 2012, it had one goal in mind — thank its fans and surrounding communities for their support by working alongside them to improve the place we all call home.

The department hoped the program would be well received. What has transpired in the past two years, however, has exceeded every expectation.

The feedback Badgers Athletics has heard is overwhelming. Last year, the department received 319 requests for student-athlete appearances at charitable events. Our student-athletes were able to appear at 280 events, volunteering a total of 8,100 hours. That’s 280 times that your love for the Badgers and giving back has provided our student-athletes with an opportunity to develop outside the realm of sport and interact with the community

UW Athletics has worked alongside you to benefit a number of worthy causes and charities. From hosting Wounded Warriors at Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center, to visiting with patients at our beloved American Family Children’s Hospital, to visiting classrooms across Dane County to read and encourage literacy, our student-athletes have participated in a wide-range of events.

The department is also thankful for the many non-profit partnerships it has forged across Wisconsin.

“Not only are we thankful for the time our student-athletes have put into interacting with the community, but we’re also incredibly grateful for the support we receive from all of our friends and partners in Madison, Dane County and around our great state,” said Justin Doherty, UW associate athletic director for external relations. “Community interaction is a two-way street and UW Athletics is certainly fortunate to have the backing we do. We can’t say thanks enough.”

What the Badgers have experienced during those appearances has touched many and has become a treasured part of our student-athletes’ experience at Wisconsin.

“It’s humbling for all of us to be invited into homes and hospital rooms and into the lives of our fans,” said Kayla Gross, UW Athletics’ community relations coordinator. “We feel privileged to witness the tremendous acts of love, perseverance through difficult times and hope that we do every day. We feel tremendously fortunate to be part of a community filled with so many people who give so selflessly of their time and heart.”

UW Athletics is lucky to have a fan base that supports its efforts both on and off the field. Thank you Badger fans for inviting us into your communities and showing us the very best of Wisconsin.

The Badgers look forward to working alongside you for many years to come.

Our student-athletes say thank you in their own words, recounting the community service experiences they are most thankful for during the 2013-14 academic year:

A favorite outreach activity of the UW student-athletes is visiting the American Family Children’s Hospital. Last year, UW student-athletes made 34 visits to the hospital over the course of the academic year, visiting room-to-room with patients.

“Visiting the children’s hospital allows me to keep my life in perspective. It is one of the most humbling experiences and nothing brings me more joy than giving back. These children are going through things I cannot even imagine and yet, they are so positive and happy. They are my idols.”
– Ann Marie Brown, junior, women’s basketball | 24 Hours

UW Athletics and the children’s hospital partnered to become one of the first universities to adopt “Caleb’s Pitch,” a non-profit program that allows hospital patients to create artwork by shooting paint-filled syringes at a special target — a UW student-athlete holding the canvas! The program has shown to reduce the anxiety involved with needles and shots by allowing the patients to engage with the syringes in a fun, non-medical setting.

“It was such a great experience visiting patients at the children’s hospital. It’s hard to believe that some of these kids are facing life-threatening illnesses. I was humbled to be part of the experience that enriched my life as well. The children have such amazing courage; it felt great the brighten their day with the visit and have them squirt paint all over me!”
– Aja Van Hout, junior, women’s swimming & diving | 37 Hours

Inspired by their visits to the hospital, the UW football team partnered with the American Family Children’s Hospital to host the first “Shave to Save” event on Oct. 3, 2013. Childhood cancer patients were invited to Camp Randall Stadium to enjoy a pizza party, a tour of the stadium and the main event — shaving the heads of eight players. Two players also had their heads shaved at the hospital to accommodate patients who were unable to leave the hospital.

“My favorite part of the Shave to Save event was when my barber announced that he was ‘All done!’ and half my head was unshaved. The kids had such a blast seeing us with funny-looking haircuts. Knowing that they were cancer survivors made all the difference. Walking around with a funny haircut to make those kids smile was the least we could do after the journey they had throughout all of their treatment.”
– Lance Baretz, junior, football | 39 Hours

UW Athletics unveiled the WiscFit program in September 2013 to encourage healthy exercise and nutrition amongst area youth. The program brought student-athletes to local elementary school classrooms to take the students through an exercise-based activity and help them set health-related goals for the semester. Classrooms made intermediate and long-term goals for healthy lifestyles. Once they reached their goals, they enjoyed a party with Bucky Badger.

“It’s so much fun going into schools and giving kids a little glimpse of what we know about leading a healthy life. They are always eager to hear what we have to say! It’s important for them to know that a healthy lifestyle is a major factor in how we all got to UW. It’s amazing that we are able to make an impact and potentially influence the choices of future Badgers.”
– Kodee Williams, senior, women’s soccer | 28 Hours

On March 3, 2014, student-athletes went on a 10-tour visit across Madison area elementary schools to promote literacy. Student-athlete efforts extended to the American Family Children’s Hospital, as well as outside of Dane County through Skype visits.

“Read Across America Day was a great way to give back to the community by promoting literacy in a fun way. Kids look up to student-athletes like us and you could tell their enthusiasm, Badger attire and curious questions that our visit meant a lot to them. I was able to attend a school in my hometown, so, on a more personal level, it was great to be able to show kids that hard work pays off and that this could be them some day.”
– Taylor Zimprich, sophomore, women’s track and cross country | 53.3 Hours

Members of the women’s hockey team visited the Capitol Lakes Senior Center weekly to interact with the residents and play card games. The highlight of the season was when the team invited several residents of the center to LaBahn Arena to watch them play against Minnesota.

“During one visit to the senior center, a resident insisted on showing us that she was on Google and, while we were reading the site out loud to her and tried to gloss over a portion, she totally called us out because she had the page memorized. She didn’t want us to miss one word. Moments like that are what stick out to me. The residents of the senior center are such funny people, full of energy and wit and it was fun to interact with them. I think people sometimes forget about them, but they are huge fans and do a lot to support Badger Athletics. I loved being able to thank them for that.”
– Madison Packer, senior, women’s hockey | 25 Hours

This year both football and men’s basketball had the honor of hosting the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that serves to honor and empower warriors who have been injured in mind, body or soul since 9/11. Men’s basketball hosted 20 native Wisconsin veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project at one of their January practices. After practice the veterans had the chance to meet the players and coaching staff.

“Having the opportunity to meet people who risked their lives for the betterment of our nation was incredible. We wanted to do anything in our power to show our appreciation. The most memorable part was just seeing how something as simple as practicing in front of them could bring such joy to their faces.”
– Duje Dukan, junior, men’s basketball | 15 Hours

Student-athletes bonded over a shared love of sport with athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin at several events this past year. Some of the highlights include Freezin’ for a Reason, the Valentine’s Day Dance and the Activation Youth Summit.

“The best part of the Special Olympics dance for me was when we were leaving and many of the athletes came up to give us hugs and were saying things like, ‘See you next year!’ It was cool to see that it was something that they really looked forward to and enjoyed. I can’t wait to go back next year!”
– Ben Cox, senior, wrestling | 34 Hours

The men’s hockey team first met Lucy Cunningham during a routine visit to the American Family Children’s Hospital. After finding out the 5-year-old had never been to a Badgers game, the team invited her in to watch practice and to see them play at the Kohl Center against Minnesota. Since the game, four members of the team — Joel Rumpel, Tyler Barnes, Nic Kerdiles and Mark Zengerle — have continued to visit the family regularly and have become “Lucy’s boys.”

“My most memorable moment from last year was meeting Lucy Cunningham. It was on a regular visit to the children’s hospital, like our team has done every week during the season, but on this special occasion we met a strong little girl named Lucy, who has taught us more life lessons than we could ever teach her. I’m honored to have met her and to consider her family life-long friends!”
– Joel Rumpel, junior, men’s hockey | 15 Hours

Inspired by the Make-A-Wish organization, the UW Athletic Department began fulfilling the wishes of young Badgers fans facing serious illness several years ago through its Wish Upon A Badger program. This year’s “Wish Upon a Badger” recipient was 9-year-old Daniel. Daniel is a big fan of UW soccer, so the men’s soccer team hosted him at a practice where he received a jersey and soccer ball signed by the entire team. Daniel was also honored as an honorary captain at the home game against Michigan State.

“Our team really loved getting to know Daniel. It is really incredible knowing that we could give him a cool experience that would make his day, especially with everything he was going through. We know that as members of the UW Soccer team he looked up to us, but we also looked up to him after everything he has gone through and the strength he has shown throughout it all. He is an inspiration to us, so we wanted to do anything we could to take his mind off being sick for a day. We have really enjoyed getting to know him, and we still stay in touch with him and have adopted him as a member of our team.”
– Trevor Wheeler, senior, men’s soccer | 20 Hours

Source: http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/give-back/spec-rel/071714aaa.html

Rising sophomore Jasmine Zambrana (Flushing, N.Y.) of the Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics team has spent part of her summer volunteering at a local children’s theater in New York as part of its production of “Grease”.

This event is just one example of many community outreach events that SCSU student-athletes will take part in as part of the Tim Greer Insurance Agency Community Service Cup.

Initiated in September, 2008, the ‘Community Service Cup’ program provides a competitive format that allows student-athletes to gain an enriched experience through engagement with the on-campus and local communities by supporting ventures of traditional citizens, campus community members and peer students and student-athletes. SCSU student-athletes volunteered more than 4,000 hours of their time to numerous outreach efforts, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the 2013-14 academic year.

Source: http://www.southernctowls.com/news/2014/7/14/GEN_0714142800.aspx