ATHLETICS AND RECREATION
CHAMPS
Community service is part of student-athletes’ winning record
on and off the field
By Meredith Drake ach fall, Geneseo student-athletes fan out across the village to help senior citizens rid their yards of fallen leaves. It’s a simple tradition that makes a big difference. Last year, basketball guard Thomas Decker ’14 and 350 other players representing 19 varsity teams raked leaves at 53 homes. Decker also took time to run ballhandling drills at a local Family Fun Night. “When we look out in the crowd at a game, we see families, alumni, older people,” he says. “They’re out there supporting us, and volunteering is a way we can support them back.” Decker says volunteering allows him to connect with the community. He recalls a time when he wore his team shirt shopping. “Someone came up to me and said we raked at his house last year and he really appreciated it,” says Decker. “That meant a lot to me.” Senior citizen Norma Byar says that help is indispensable. “I’m not sure what I’d do without them.” DECKER Geneseo student-athletes try to stand out in competition and in civic engagement. Those efforts have helped earn Geneseo a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll every year since it was launched in 2006, twice with distinction. From 2006 to 2009, the athletic department received the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators/Jostens Community Service Award. “Our mantra, if you will, is ‘Classroom Champions, Conference Champions, Community Champions,’” says Assistant Athletic Director George Gagnier ’88. “It’s an expectation that our student-athletes will be civic-minded and engaged.”
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geneseo scene
Bear Toss. During a designated game, Ice Knights hockey fans throw stuffed animals onto the rink to celebrate Geneseo’s first goal. Hundreds are tossed and distributed by local charities to kids. Last fall, student-athletes also worked with community members who are saving the stone wall at the historic Wadsworth homestead (see story on Page 16). The philosophy is ingrained from the very experiences students have with athletics at Geneseo. Swimming and diving Coach Paul Dotterweich makes that commitment to volunteering clear when he recruits new swimmers. “I’m trying to help them develop as people, not just athletes,” he says, “and it helps me find the right type of athlete for our program. When I hear alums are still doing breast-cancer walks, that’s really rewarding.” Swimming alumnus Phil Szrama ’07 took the lessons to heart. He has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, with his wife, Sadie Mueller ’06, to raise PHOTO BY JONATHAN BAEK ’13 money for the American Cancer Annual yard clean-up for senior citizens is one way Society. Geneseo student-athletes serve the community. A regular at relay events, he says One of the ways many athletes do so is to athletes’ competitive nature makes them raise money for charitable causes each year particularly good volunteers. — including more than $6,600 raised in Doing so means organizing schoolwork, September at the annual Making Strides teamwork and community service, but it’s Against Breast Cancer Walk in Rochester. worth it, says Karlee McCorry ’15, a varsity Also, 50 student-athletes participated in the soccer player who volunteers for the Teddy Comfort Care Walk to benefit Teresa Bear Toss and the Colleges Against Cancer House, a hospice in Livingston County. Club and participates in Relay for Life. Another popular tradition: The Teddy Making a difference for others makes her time at Geneseo more valuable. “It makes going to school a happier experience.” Watch the 2012 Teddy Bear Toss —
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go.geneseo.edu/tedddytoss2012