St. John's University Athletics
Student-Athletes Participate In Seventh-Annual University Service Day
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 1, 2008
On Saturday, Sept. 27, St. John's University student-athletes, coaches and athletics department personnel took part in the seventh-annual University Service Day, organized by the St. John's University Service Opportunity Counsel.
Student-athletes from the men's and women's basketball teams, softball, lacrosse, track & field, cheerleading and dance teams participated in this all-day event dedicated to helping others and giving back to the community by volunteering at different sites in the region.
"University Service Day helps our student-athletes continue our Athletics program's long tradition of serving the community," said Chris Monasch, Director of Athletics. "We are proud that our student-athletes truly live up to our mantra of `Win. Graduate. Serve.'"
Fr. Patrick Griffin, Executive Vice President of Missions and Branch Campuses at St. John's University, and who serves on the service opportunity counsel, opened the day with prayer before the student-athletes took to their respective sites. He was joined by sophomore Priscilla Frederick of the track & field team and Bernard Rencher, Assistant Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes, who read scriptures during the opening ceremonies.
The men's lacrosse and softball teams traveled to St. John's the Baptist school in Brooklyn, N.Y. The two teams were led by men's lacrosse head coach Jason Miller, assistant coach Dan Paccione and softball assistant coach Andy Russo.
The student-athletes helped clean up the school with jobs ranging from painting and reorganizing classrooms, clearing out garbage, demolition work and reorganizing the classrooms.
"This is the third consecutive year we've participated in Service Day," said Miller. "It's a great experience for our guys and we worked really hard. Days like these are an opportunity for our team to reconnect with the St. John's mission, and emphasize to them the importance of facets of life, other than school and lacrosse, that demand their attention."
"On the feast of St. Vincent, our student-athletes were eager to follow in the mission of the University and ultimately the passion of St. Vincent DePaul," said head softball coach Amy Kvilhaug. "The student-athletes were able to give back by organizing and cleaning the school, indirectly helping youth by providing an optimal learning environment. I thought the day was a tremendous success and I was happy to see such a large turnout, University wide."
The cross country and track & field teams traveled out to Brentwood, N.Y., to help clear the Memorial Organic Garden for the Sisters of St. Joseph. The team, led by head coach Jim Hurt and assistant coach Yvonne Harrison, helped rake, seed and weed the garden to get it ready for the winter months.
"Despite the rain we had a very enjoyable day working in the garden," said Hurt. "It was nice to see some tangible results at the end of the day, as we helped put the garden `to bed' for the winter. Afterward we had a very enjoyable lunch with the sisters. Overall it was a very warm experience, despite the damp weather, and the team had a great time giving back to the Long Island community."
Back in Queens, N.Y., members of the women's basketball team helped host "Family Day" at a non-profit special education facility called HeartShare First Step. The teams ran different arts and crafts activities in a carnival-like atmosphere.
"University Service Day is such a great experience for St. John's," said Clare Droesch, women's basketball head team manager/video coordinator. "It gives us the opportunity to reach out and give back to the community that gives so much to us. The team really looks forward to this event each year, especially working with the children and their families and participating in projects that helps the community."
Head men's basketball coach Norm Roberts and his staff and assistants traveled with the team to the Jamaica YMCA, where they hosted a basketball clinic.
"University Service Day is always a great opportunity for our guys to be around young people. It is great for them to interact with the youth in our community, and it's always an awesome day with the kids at the YMCA," said Roberts. "On days like this, I always feel like our athletes get back more they give."
The dance team and cheerleading squad also hosted a clinic for students ages seven through 15. They were at the South Queens/Roy Wilkens Park Association in Queens, N.Y. Rencher also took a group of students to the Variety Boy's and Girl's Club of Queens, Inc.
Serving on the Service Opportunity Counsel as the liaison to athletics, administrative assistant for Student Development and Academic Support, Joanne Zissel, along with Fr. Tri Duong, Campus Minister to the Athletes, coordinated the teams to their various sites.
Players Mentioned
