Published: October 04, 2006
Queens, N.Y.
St. John's held its fifth annual University Service Day on
Saturday, Sept. 23, and Red Storm athletes, coaches and athletics
department personnel came out to lend a helping hand. Members of
St. John's athletic teams reached out to several area groups as
part of a day dedicated to helping others and giving back to the
community.
Fr. John Freund began the day with a group prayer before the
teams headed out to their respective locations. His message, to
“embrace the poor and the vulnerable, the marginal and the lowly
ones,” set the tone for the day.
Jason
Miller, the newly hired lacrosse head coach, took part in his
first University Service Day. He and his team traveled to
Nazareth High School in Brooklyn to conduct a lacrosse clinic. The
team showed about 25 students how to pass and catch, pick the ball
up off the ground and how to shoot. Afterwards, they played a
pick-up game on a basketball court with two tipped over trash
barrels as goals.
“We played first and then mixed the kids in,” Miller said. “Then
we played the kids. We won 2-1; my first career win! Our players
not only got the opportunity to give back to the local community in
Brooklyn, but were able to participate in a project embraced by the
entire University. The students at Nazareth High School really
enjoyed learning about the game, and I think our players got a
great reminder on just how much fun our sport can be.”
The women’s track and field and cross country teams also visited
Nazareth High School, where head coach Jim
Hurt and assistant coach
John Honerkamp hosted a track and field clinic. Coach Hurt
spoke to the student population about competing in college
athletics, and Honerkamp discussed the recruiting process, the core
curriculum needed to be eligible and team’s warm up routine. They
also taught the students down starts and how to pass the relay
baton.
Men’s basketball head coach Norm
Roberts, along with his staff and team conducted a basketball
clinic at the Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, N.Y. Meanwhile, at the
same site, the dance and cheerleading teams ran a separate
clinic.
Academic Support’s Bernard
Rencher and Joanne Zissel accompanied members of the men’s
tennis team to the Boys and Girls Club in Queens. They engaged the
members in various activities including basketball, tennis, pool,
video games and had one-on-one conversations about academics and
athletics.
“We all left the Boys and Girls Club feeling really good,” said
Rencher. “And, we could tell the kids had a great time because as
we were walking out they shouted, come back soon!”
The men’s and women’s fencing teams, along with the women’s
basketball team, Director of Women’s Basketball Operations Jackie
Smith and academic advisor Tracy Manfredi
visited a non-profit special education facility called HeartShare
to host “Family Day.” The teams ran different arts and crafts
activities as well as helped serve food. Manfredi assisted at
the face painting station, while the women’s basketball team helped
with the Spin Art, visor designing stations, outdoor games and
serving lunch. The men’s and women’s fencing teams also
demonstrated their sport for the students.
“University Service Day allows for the Athletic Department to
highlight the many ways we give back to the community,” said Campus
Minister to Athletics, Paula Migliore.
“I am so proud to have the opportunity to collaborate with the
coaches, staff and athletes on the many volunteer
initiatives.”
– Red Storm –