ATH Hofstra Athletics Community Service Recap 2014-2015

Hempstead, NY – Throughout the 2014-15 academic year, Hofstra student-athletes dedicated themselves to serving others. Between Hofstra’s 17 athletic teams and more than 300 student-athletes, the Pride took part in 41 community service projects and totaled more than 3,300 hours of service.

One highlighted project was the Yards 4 Yeardley campaign. The event was in support of the One Love Foundation, which looks to bring education and awareness to college campuses regarding domestic violence. Students from all 17 teams got together and ran more than 1,000,000 yards in just two days to help promote this outstanding campaign. Other community service projects included visiting local elementary schools for reading days along with sports clinics, the Annual Shake-A-Rake event and the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The Department of Athletics is very proud of the terrific work of our student-athletes, and would like to send a special thank you to all of the student-athletes and coaches who dedicated their time and efforts to serve others this year.

Some of the projects that Hofstra’s student-athletes took part in were:

CAA Food Drive and Blood Drive Challenges
Each year the Colonial Athletic Association hosts the CAA Blood Drive Challenge as well as the CAA Food Drive Challenge. These events have collected thousands of pints in blood donations, along with tens of thousands of pounds of food. The challenges have become staples in the community service of all schools in the CAA, and Hofstra student-athletes spearheaded two outstanding campaigns this year to support the cause.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Basketball Clinics
Throughout the year, the Hofstra Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams conducted basketball clinics for several local elementary schools and youth organizations. Schools visited included North Side Elementary in Levittown, St. Joseph’s in Hempstead, PS 223 in Jamaica and The Viscardi Center in Albertson. Local youth organizations worked with included the Let All The Children Play Foundation, Special Olympics of Long Island and the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead.

HEADStrong Fundraiser
Each fall the women’s lacrosse program hosts a weekend tournament to help benefit the HEADStrong Foundation. This year student-athletes from men’s lacrosse and men’s tennis volunteered throughout the day to assist with the tournament.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Student-athletes from Hofstra’s men’s tennis team took part in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk held at Jones Beach State Park. Team members helped raise funds for cancer research, and joined with thousands of participants to help support those battling breast cancer.

Long Island Children’s Museum
Team members from men’s and women’s tennis, women’s basketball and baseball assisted with the Long Island Children’s Museum Annual Ghostly Gala, a Halloween event for children. The evening had a variety of activities, including a spooky room, arts and crafts, as well as educational sessions for children of all ages. Student-athletes volunteered in a variety of ways to enhance the experience of each guest.

North Side Elementary School Biography Day
On October 29, 2014, 25 student-athletes took a very special trip to North Side Elementary School in Levittown to be interviewed by fourth graders. Hofstra’s volunteers were asked a variety of questions about their lives and how they were able to become Division I student-athletes. From the conversations, each fourth grade student wrote a biography on the Hofstra student-athlete whom they interviewed. This event taught the youngsters the power of a strong balance between education and athletics in order to become successful.

Let All The Children Play Foundation Clinic
Hofstra’s student-athletes hosted a clinic for the Let All The Children Play Foundation in the Hofstra University Fitness Center. Team members from men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, along with volleyball took part in this event. Student-athletes spent the morning running sport specific stations, teaching children the basics of basketball, soccer and volleyball, while stressing the importance of fitness, teamwork and inclusion through sport.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
This year, several student-athletes volunteered to be “bigs”, with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Student-athletes met with their matches each Wednesday, and, in addition to playing sports, assisted with homework and took part in several activities around campus that gave the children several opportunities to learn what college is all about.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Student-athletes from Hofstra’s field hockey and volleyball programs took part in the ALS Association Ice Bucket Challenge this semester. Student-athletes volunteered to dump buckets of ice water on their heads in order to raise funds and awareness for ALS. Along with our student-athletes, several coaches and administrators took part in the challenge as well, including Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway.

Raleigh City Farm
Raleigh City Farm is a not-for-profit organization that looks to transform areas of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, into nourishing farmland. While the Pride Men’s Soccer team was in Raleigh for the weekend for an athletic competition, Coach Nuttall and the entire team volunteered at the farm’s annual fundraiser dinner and banquet. Student-athletes helped set-up tables, chairs and dinner settings for more than 200 attendees.

Viscardi Center
Hofstra’s Women’s Basketball and Men’s Lacrosse teams made very special trips to the Viscardi Center, which is a non-profit organization that provides education and services for adults and children with disabilities, in Albertson. Hofstra’s student-athletes spoke to the children at the center about the importance of perseverance and dedication, as well as took part in recreational activities with the group.

Special Olympics of New York Polar Plunge
More than 30 student-athletes, coaches and administrators combined to take the plunge in support of the Special Olympics of New York at Bar Beach in Port Washington. The Hofstra team raised more than $1,000, as well as volunteered with registration at the event. Team members from men’s and women’s cross country and volleyball volunteered, while team members from field hockey, men’s tennis, women’s soccer and women’s golf took the plunge to support the organization.

Hofstra Baseball Player “Draft”
The Hofstra Baseball team partnered with Team IMPACT to “draft” 6-year old Sal Trotta and his 4-year old brother, Vincent, making them honorary members of the Pride. Sal was diagnosed with Acute-Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2014. He is in remission but must receive chemotherapy treatments regularly until 2017. Vincent is Sal’s best friend and greatest supporter. The “Draft Day” was facilitated by Boston-based nonprofit organization Team IMPACT, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.

Courtesy of Hofstra Sports Information Department