Published: September 26, 2005
Queens, N.Y.
Several athletic teams take part in
University initiative to benefit the community.
St. John's held its fourth annual University Service Day on
Saturday, Sept. 24, and Red Storm athletes, coaches and athletics
department personnel were out in full force to lend a hand.
Student-athletes representing many 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.
The Red Storm men's basketball squad joined the women's track
and field team and the St. John's dance and cheerleading teams at
Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. The track team participated in clean-up
efforts of the 54-acre park, while the dance and cheer team taught
techniques and a routine to a group of 7-12 year old girls. The
men's basketball players and coaches worked with a group of 7-11
year olds on their basketball skills.
"Saturday was a great day for our athletic program and a great
way to give back to the community," said St. John's men's
basketball coach
Norm Roberts. "Our guys were all on hand to work with the kids,
and I think they might have enjoyed it just as much as the kids
did. Several of them were once in a similar position."
Red Storm track and field coach
Jim Hurt added, "It was a chance to serve others, and those
individuals who we served appreciated our efforts. It also gave the
team an opportunity to help out the community as well as spend some
time together outside of the athletic setting."
The women's basketball team spent the day at Heartshare, a
non-profit special education program in Queens. The women painted
classrooms where the Heartshare students with special needs work
and play each day.
Jackie Smith, director of operations for St. John's women's
basketball, said "We are extremely proud to give back to the
community. The team was looking to make a difference and at the end
of the project everyone was extremely happy with the outcome."
The women's tennis team and first-year head coach
Allison Davidson visited Momma's House in Wantaugh, NY. The
team spent the day visiting with 17 to 21 year old mothers and
their children and sorting through donations that were collected by
the organization.
Meanwhile, back in Queens, the Red Storm fencing and lacrosse
teams joined
Bernard Rencher of the St. John's academic support staff at the
local Boys and Girls Club. There the athletes spent the day playing
with and interacting with many of the area's youth.
"University Service Day epitomizes one of the reasons all of our
student-athletes chose to attend St. John's - service," said
Paula Migliore, St. John's Campus Minister to Athletics. "The
people that benefit from the University Service Day programs really
enjoy working with our athletes and coaches, but in some ways our
athletes and coaches are really the ones that benefit from helping
others in the community."