West Virginia University
COMMUNITY SERVICE
“We believe that it is vital to be able to give back not only to the community, but also to people with close ties to our program. It’s a privilege to support those who support WVU athletics.”- coach Craig Turnbull
The West Virginia University wrestling team ¡
understands that its efforts in the practice room and against competition is greatly appreciated by the Morgantown community, but the wrestlers want to be viewed as something more than just the ideal student-athlete – they want to be known as positive all-around individuals. Although these college students spend countless hours on the mats and in the classroom, they also devote a great deal of time to making the surrounding area a better place.
At the beginning of the 2009 school semester, ¡
the Mountaineers held a free clinic to benefit WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Cindy Smith and her husband, Sam, who suffered two strokes in 2009. Cindy has worked with the wrestling program for more than 20 years and coach Turnbull made it a mission of his to bring to light the situation. More than $2,000 was donated at the free clinic, which helped manage medical costs and the loss of income.
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2013-14 WRESTLING
During the offseason, WVU wrestlers have ¡
shared their passion and imparted their wisdom on younger wrestlers. When their school work is complete, or they have time during breaks, the wrestlers volunteer their time with youth wrestling clubs in their hometowns.
Individually, through the West Virginia University ¡
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the experience of the student-athletes has been advanced by their involvement through other community-driven endeavors. Members of the wrestling team join with coaches as well as members of other athletic teams from the university’s 16 other sports to visit the children’s hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.
Although the wrestlers practice hard and devote ¡
time to their studies, they never lose focus of the task at hand – being an all-around positive role model, on and off campus.