ATH Hofstra Athletics In The Community

Hempstead, NY – Throughout the fall 2014 semester, Hofstra student-athletes continuously answered the call to serve others. Between Hofstra’s 17 athletic teams, which include more than 300 student-athletes, the Pride took part in 28 community service projects and totaled more than 1,500 hours of service.

Highlighted projects included the annual Hofstra University Shake-A-Rake, which brought together nearly 200 student-athletes and 100 students from Hofstra University. Students spent a Saturday morning visiting local homes and senior centers, helping to clear leaves and debris from properties. This year’s event saw the highest number of participants since 2010, when the Office of Off-Campus Living first held Shake-A-Rake. Other community service endeavors our student-athletes participated in included running sports clinics for local youth, the Colonial Athletic Association Blood Drive Challenge, visits to soup kitchens as well as collecting and donating school supplies to local schools and shelters. 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 semester.

Some of the projects taken part in by Hofstra student-athletes include:

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.

Breast Cancer Walk
Student-athletes from Hofstra’s men’s tennis team took part in an annual 5k 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 who are battling breast cancer.

Soccer Clinic
The men’s and women’s soccer teams visited the Massapequa Soccer Club for a clinic in late August. Student-athletes ran drills and played games with participants, stressing the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship in sports.

Long Island Children’s Museum
Team members from the men’s and women’s tennis, women’s basketball and baseball programs 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.

Northside Elementary Biography Day
On October 29, 25 student-athletes took a very special trip to Northside 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
Hofstra’s student-athletes worked closely with the Let All The Children Play Foundation this semester. The Pride’s men’s basketball program took several trips to the playground located in Eisenhower Park, and assisted with summer camps throughout the month of August. Student-athletes played a variety of sports and games with participants. In September a baseball clinic was held at the playground, which was set-up with the help of our women’s tennis team, while baseball activities were run by the Pride baseball program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
This past semester 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 along with playing sports, assisted with homework and took part in activities around campus that gave the children several opportunities to learn what college is all about. Hofstra’s student-athletes will continue this program throughout the spring semester, with several new volunteers joining as well.

Ice Bucket Challenge
Student-athletes from Hofstra’s field hockey, women’s soccer and volleyball programs took part in the ALS 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 into nourishing farmland. While the Pride men’s soccer team was down 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 place 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, located in Albertson, NY. The Viscardi Center is a non-profit organization that provides education and services for adults and children with disabilities. 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.

Glen Cove Day Care Center
Throughout the fall semester, student-athletes from the Pride softball team made several trips to the Glen Cove Day Care Center. Student-athletes read to the children, as well as dressed up in costume on one trip before Halloween and brought with them candy to give out to the children. In early December the softball team helped put together an event which had each of the 17 teams at Hofstra put together care packages full of toys, Holiday presents, clothing and a variety of other items which were all donated to the Center.

To read more and see the picture gallery please visit: http://www.gohofstra.com/news/2015/1/16/BB_0116153822.aspx