Washington, D.C. – Head lacrosse coaches Scott Urick and Melynda Brown as well as several members of the University of the District of Columbia men’s and women’s lacrosse programs hosted a group from The Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation (WINNERS) Lacrosse organization for an instructional clinic at UDC Field on Saturday afternoon.

Urick, Brown and several men’s and women’s lacrosse student-athletes ran a clinic that featured drills stressing fundamentals such as stick-handling, passing and catching and shooting. The approximately 20 boys and girls of various lacrosse experience benefitted from the instruction of the seasoned coaches and the student-athletes.

“I feel this is as good of a way as any for the UDC lacrosse programs to give back to the Washington, DC community,” men’s lacrosse head coach and former nine-year Major League Lacrosse veteran Scott Urick said. “By doing this, in conjunction with WINNERS’ ongoing efforts, we’re helping make the sport of lacrosse accessible to boys and girls in the DC metro area who otherwise may not have the opportunity. These boys and girls were eager to play, and more importantly, eager to learn…and just a lot of fun to work with.”

WINNERS is a nonprofit organization that was started in October 2000 to provide Washington, DC boys and girls from historically underserved neighborhoods the opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse and the life skills associated with playing a team sport. It uses the sport as a vehicle to instill values, education and life-sustaining skills that will ultimately give young boys and girls the tools to be successful on and off the field. Since its inception, it has introduced the game of lacrosse to over 5,500 inner city DC youth.

Brown, who had a stellar high school career at Council Rock South in Pennsylvania and college career at UMass, said she is encouraged by the sport’s growth throughout the District of Columbia.

“I think WINNERS is a tremendous organization,” Brown said. “These boys and girls are getting a fantastic opportunity, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the continued growth of this great sport in the nation’s capital.”

Provided by the District of Columbia Sports Information Department.

Source: http://www.eccsports.org/sports/mlax/2013-14/releases/100813_udclax_winners

Posted: Monday, October 14, 2013 2:42 pm
Jon Buzby
Source: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/

Next Saturday, October 26 is a rare off day for all but one of the Glasgow High School fall sports teams. But instead of sleeping in, hanging out with family and friends, or heading to part-time jobs, the majority of the school’s athletes and coaches are participating in the school’s inaugural Glasgow Care Walk before they head to Delcastle to watch the Dragons face the Cougars on the gridiron.

The walk begins at 10 a.m. in the stadium. As of this week, there are nearly 100 students registered and the general public can sign up during school hours at the school or starting at 9:30 a.m. the morning of the event. Of the $10 registration fee, $7 is being donated to the local Red Cross and $3 goes toward the school’s athletic department.
“At the end of last year, we decided that we wanted our athletes and school in general to be more involved in the community,” athletic director Jeremy Jeanne explained. “We want our student-athletes to understand that being an athlete is a privilege and because we want our athletes to understand that privilege, we want them to understand the importance of giving back. Our kids are very excited about this event.”

A simple idea that started out as one relatively small walking event involving only student-athletes has since expanded to include any interested member of the student body, their family and friends, and the general public. The overwhelming positive response was one reason Jeanne decided to expand the Glasgow Care concept beyond the athletic department.
“The original goal of the Glasgow Care campaign was for Glasgow High School student-athletes to give back to their community,” Jeanne said. “I remember the first time I met our new principal, Mr. Ivory, and shared this new initiative. He right away fell in love with the idea. Thanks to his support, we have expanded this new initiative to not just our student-athletes, but to the entire school. We are using ‘Glasgow Care’ to offer our students community services hours that are applied toward the 60 hours required for graduation.”
A dozen or so students participating in Saturday’s morning walk are doing double-duty, spending the afternoon at the Veterans Hospital in Elsmere to visit with the veterans and make blankets for them.

“I was very excited about volunteering for this because I believe it’s an honor to be able to meet some of the veterans who had a hand in keeping liberty in America,” junior tennis player Jackie Cornejo said. “I’m looking forward to hearing about how life changes after being part of something as big as serving the country.”
Saturday’s community outreach is just another example of a year-long effort by the Glasgow athletes to give back to the community. Other initiatives include visiting different elementary schools in the district to read and donate books during the winter months, and hosting an egg hunt in the spring for kids with disabilities or who are in a shelter.
“Our mission as educators is to produce responsible and productive citizens that give back to their communities,” Glasgow principal Dean Ivory said. “I am so proud of our student-athletes for leading by example.”

That example has now expanded beyond just the athletic department, and although that was not the original intent, Jeanne couldn’t be happier that it is the end result.
“Glasgow students truly care about the community,” Jeanne beamed. “I just love it!”

Selden, N.Y. – The LIU Post baseball and softball teams joined forces Saturday, and participated in a community service game to benefit The Miracle League of Long Island in Selden, N.Y.

The Pioneers took part in three two-inning games in which the players buddied up with the children and helped them bat, run the bases and play the field.

The Miracle League of Long Island’s mission is to establish and sustain baseball programs for people (of all ages) with disabilities. Their objective is to provide an opportunity for those individuals to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing our national pastime.

For more information on The Miracle League of Long Island, please visit www.mllongisland.com.

Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.

Source: http://www.eccsports.org/sports/sball/2013-14/releases/100813_liup_miracleleague

Courtesy of: http://www.eccsports.org/

Central Islip, N.Y. – Beginning with last night’s volleyball contest at NYIT, the East Coast Conference and its member institutions will host over 20 games throughout October as part of its Pink and Fight Like a Volleyballer Lavender Week initiatives.

ECC Pink Week festivities will be hosted by each men’s and women’s soccer team in the conference. At the selected contests, $2 donations will be taken in lieu of admission being charged. ECC Pink Week t-shirts will also be sold for $10. All proceeds from each Pink Week game will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

ECC volleyball teams will host the Fight Like a Volleyballer Lavender Week games. Lavender is the color of the general cancer awareness ribbon. As with ECC Pink Week, $2 donations will be collected at the door and t-shirts will be sold for $10 with all proceeds going to the Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Institute.

In addition to gate donations and t-shirt sales, ECC member schools will also sell prize packs, ribbons, and host 50/50 raffles to collect for the respective charitable organizations associated with the Pink and Lavender weeks.

To see when your favorite ECC school is hosting one of these games, please check out the full schedule listed below.

ECC Pink Week Games
October 19
Molloy at Mercy
Queens at NYIT
LIU Post at STAC

October 20
Bridgeport at Daemen
Dowling at Roberts Wesleyan

October 23
NYIT at Molloy (men’s soccer)

October 26
NYIT at Bridgeport
Mercy at LIU Post
Dowling at Queens

October 30
NYIT at Dowling (men’s soccer)
Felician at Dowling (women’s soccer)
LIU Post at District of Columbia

November 2
Dowling at Molloy (women’s soccer)

ECC Fight Like a Volleyballer Lavender Week Games
October 15
Bridgeport at LIU Post

October 17
NYIT at Dowling

October 18
Mercy at Bridgeport

October 22
Queens at Mercy

October 24
Mercy at Molloy
Bridgeport at Queens

October 26
NYIT at Daemen
LIU Post at Roberts Wesleyan

Brookhaven, N.Y. – Make-A-Wish Suffolk County partnered with Dowling College Athletics and hosted a Walk For Wishes 5K Run/Walk this afternoon at Golden Lions Field on Dowling’s Brookhaven Campus.

Over 150 student athletes spent the day making a difference and volunteering at the event which involved more than 400 participants and raised over $30,000 for Make-A-Wish.

Craig Nelson, 17, from West Islip, N.Y. planned and organized this event with the hope to raise enough money to grant a child a wish of their own. At 10 years old, he was given the wish of a trip to Disney with his family before having to undergo serious brain surgeries. Now, as a completely healthy and fully recovered high school student, he is a member of the cross country and track teams at his high school, thinking about college and ways to give back to others.

This afternoon Nelson was given the opportunity to present Douglas Grimmett, a six year old boy with a life threatening illness, his wish of going to Disney World. With the help of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the Fairy Godmother, Nelson along with Make-A-Wish Suffolk Chapter President and CEO Karine Hollander granted Douglas his wish alongside his parents and younger brother Benjamin.

When asked what the first thing he was going to do when he got to Disney Douglas said, ‘I’m going to see all the characters!” The Fairy Godmother then asked who his favorite character was and with a big smile on his face he answered, “I love them all!’

“It’s probably the greatest feeling I’ve ever felt in my life,” Nelson expressed. “It’s amazing to see little Douglas’ face and he is so happy to take his trip. It’s amazing.”

Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Vice President Kyle DeMeo said, ”This day means a lot. Make-A-Wish had done so many great things for so many people and being here for this life changing experience has been life changing for myself. It was truly amazing.”

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. 

Since its inception in 1983, the Suffolk Chapter has granted over 2,000 wishes to local children. In the past year alone, they have granted 121 wishes.

Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.

Source: http://www.eccsports.org/information/community/2013-14/093013_dow_maw