WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia men’s soccer team travelled to St. Coletta of Greater Washington to participate in a community service project involving the Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) organization.

Players were assigned children with differing characteristics and disabilities and were challenged to stimulate them through soccer activities. An extremely worthwhile cause, the players first had to undertake a 45-minute orientation in order to learn best practices for looking after the children and fulfilling their needs. This is the second year that the Firebirds have participated in a community service effort of this sort.

According to assistant men’s soccer coach Danny Wadeson, the Firebirds continue to build bridges and create lasting friendships with KEEN.

“The whole idea of taking players out of their comfort zones and giving back to those less fortunate in such a great environment creates a wonderful experience for all involved,” Wadeson said.

The team looks forward to returning to St. Coletta on April 5th to continue the excellent relationship with the children and staff.

The list of accolades and championships on Jennie Finch’s resume could make almost any college athlete feel unaccomplished.

Former University of Arizona and Team USA softball standout Jennie Finch signs an autograph after speaking at the CWA Luncheon on Monday.

The first-team All-American honors — all three of them. The College World Series title. The Olympic gold medal, and — eh — the silver one, too.

But Finch, now a 33-year-old mother of three, has harnessed her legacy as possibly the greatest collegiate softball pitcher of all time, tapping her reputation as a source of inspiration.

She spoke Monday afternoon at Binghamton University’s Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon, an annual affair held at the Events Center to recognize the achievements of the school’s female student-athletes and bolster scholarship funds.

“My message is to be the best you. Life’s short. Make the most of the opportunities that you have,” Finch told media before addressing the crowd of more than 500 guests. “It’s amazing to see how far we have come as women, in sports especially. Just seeing the changes that it has allowed me to make and just knowing the impact athletics plays, especially in our young women’s lives, is so important.”

Finch flew into Binghamton on Sunday night and spent Monday morning with the University’s Division I softball team, which opens its season on Feb. 14 at a tournament hosted by South Florida. The Bearcats will face four power conference programs that weekend.

“We got to just talk about the game doesn’t know rankings, the game doesn’t know the name on the jersey on the front,” Finch said. “Just go out there and believe in yourselves and have fun. Make the most of it.”

Softball senior second baseman Jessica Bump described meeting Finch as an unforgettable experience.

“Her advice about preparation and mentality are things that we as a team are going to think about while working to achieve our goals this season,” Bump wrote in a Facebook message. “I think after today we are even more excited to step out onto the field and play Bearcats softball.”

Finch addressed more than just the softball team at the reception, when she spoke of the growth and achievements of women in sports.

“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come as women,” Finch said, “and because of 1972 (when Title IX was enacted), we have a chance to live out our dreams, further our education, further society and inspire others to be better.”

Volleyball senior co-captain Grace Vickers represented BU’s female student-athletes at the podium, expressing her gratitude for Title IX and the opportunities she sought at BU.

Since the first annual CWA Luncheon, the event has raised nearly $150,000 toward a scholarship fund, awarded to two female BU student-athletes each year.

For Finch, helping the cause by speaking at events like the CWA Luncheon is an opportunity to give back.

“Now I’m a mother of three and speaking, doing camps and clinics and traveling around,” Finch said. “Being a mom is my ultimate favorite thing of all, but it’s always great to be around athletics because it’s who I am and has given me so much.”

By Ari Kramer
Source: http://www.bupipedream.com/sports/28796/jennie-finch-inspires-female-student-athletes-at-cwa-luncheon/

The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team was in full force as 14 members of the team volunteered with the Special Olympics at the state poly hockey tournament, Sunday, Jan. 26 in Golden Valley, Minn.

The Gopher contingent of Milica McMillen, Sidney Peters, Amanda Leveille, Kate Flug, Kate Schipper, Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Paige Haley, Kelsey Cline, Shyler Sletta, Baylee Gillianders, Sarah Davis, Bethany Brausen and Kelly Terry were in attendance from 12-6. The group interacted with the participants and presented awards during the Special Olympics ceremony.

The Gopher women’s hockey team has always had a long-standing tradition of community service. Earlier this month, the team held a teddy bear toss to donate to Toys for Tots, while Feb. 8 game against Bemidiji State, the team will hold a Gold Out as proceeds go towards Amplatz Children’s Hospital and Unlimited Dance Marathon.

By Michelle Traen on January 28, 2014 10:46 AM |
Source: http://www.gophersports.com/blog/2014/01/gophers-volunteer-with-special-olympics.html

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University student-athletes are giving back to the community and helping to motivate kids in Syracuse.

A group of SU football players partnered with the Syracuse City School District’s Building Men Program Friday morning at Clary Middle School to talk to students about the importance of academics and determination.

The student-athletes shared their personal journeys to becoming successful college students and football players.

The Syracuse Building Men Program works to inspire Syracuse youth to make a positive impact on society by instilling drive and passion in them through community service and mentoring events. They currently have programs in middle schools and high schools in and around the Syracuse area.

Source: http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1001532#.Uu-ehnddWj8

HAMDEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University field hockey program conducted a clinic at the Church Street School in Hamden on Wednesday as part of the ‘You Go Girl’ program by USA Field Hockey.

The You Go Girl program is an initiative that will expose the sport of field hockey and enhance the lives of girls, ages 10-18, in urban or non-traditional areas. With the help of current NCAA student-athletes, USA Field Hockey will look to introduce field hockey to over 1,000 young women in metropolitan areas.

The You Go Girl program is a part of USA Field Hockey’s greater campaign, Grow the Game. The Grow the Game campaign will expose the sport and inspire participation in both male and female athletes, coaches, umpires, parents and fans. Each of the selected colleges possessed an astonishingly strong commitment to community service, a clear comprehension of the program or a distinctive opportunity to work with urban or at-risk girls, but most possessed all three.

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 3,000 hours of their time to numerous outreach efforts, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the 2012-13 academic year.

Source: http://www.southernctowls.com/news/2014/1/30/GEN_0130140939.aspx