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 –
