Athletes take time out for community

For the altruistic Yalie, New Haven abounds with community service opportunities--park cleanups, helping with test preparation, teaching creative writing workshops, and soup kitchens, to name just a few. However, many athletes' practice and competition schedules conflict with after-school tutoring programs or Saturday morning mentoring activities. The Community Outreach Committee (COC) offers myriad ways for such athletes to volunteer and get involved with the community. The COC was created with varsity athletes in mind, but its programs are open to athletes at all levels--club, intramural, and recreational participants. The COC is coordinated by students but overseen by Associate Director of Athletics Tim Ford and former lightweight rower Dave Lewicki, TC '97, who was himself involved with the COC as an undergraduate.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Yalies lift community kids on Olympic Youth Day

The COC's main events are its two Olympic Youth Days, one held each semester. The events are staffed by over 100 Yale student-athletes and attended by approximately 350 area kids. Student-athlete volunteers offer clinics in hockey, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee where participants learn both skills and sportsmanship and are exposed to new sports. "Youth Day is a really great day for both the kids and the athletes who volunteer their time," varsity field and ice hockey player, Sue Barnes, DC '00, said. "There aren't many things that I get excited about waking up so early on a Saturday morning for, but Olympic Youth Day is definitely one of them," field hockey goalie, Courtney Lane, SY '00, remarked. "This is a great way to get involved in the community--the kids look up to Yale athletes so much."

Track athlete Tara Cronin, JE '00, agreed and recalled being amazed at "how quickly the kids respond to you.... It makes you realize how much the kids look up to you and how much of an impact you could make with more time." After the skills portion of the day, event participants have the opportunity to stay and cheer on Yale athletes in intercollegiate competition.

Yale also hosts several "Youth Days" each season, where area youngsters and faculty children play sports with their buddies, attend free football, basketball, hockey, or baseball games and then get player autographs.

In addition, several varsity teams `adopt' classes in area middle schools, which they visit regularly and mentor. Some Yale coaches are also involved in community service programs on their own time, assisting with technique and general program coordination. The COC also coordinates tutoring at the elementary and middle school levels, mentor and buddy programs, and hospital visits for athletes.

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