Lady Vols Student-Athletes are Committed to Community Involvement The Lady Vols believe in engaging with the next generation of athletes and the Knoxville community as a thank you for the support they have always received. The Volunteer spirit is the foundation of the University of Tennessee. Serving others is the basis of everything on campus including clubs, Greek life and even the athletics department. Knoxville is proud to be the home of many outstanding student athletes. The entire region cheers them on through every sport and season. In return, the Lady Vols give back wherever possible to reciprocate the support showered upon them. Softball head coach, Karen Weekly, has been with the university since 2002 and over the years her program has raised money and participated in events for countless charities. Some of these organizations include Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Special Olympics, holding free inner city clinics, providing Christmas gifts for children and marching in the MLK Day Parade. During the fall semester, the team spent their weekly day off teaching softball skills to the young players at Girls Inc. in Oak Ridge. “Every time you do something from the heart, it comes back to you ten-fold…our players are giving their time, yes, but what they are gaining is so much greater. To see the smiles on little girls’ faces and to know you’re making an impact in their lives is the best gift of all,” Weekly said. Catcher and outfielder Rylie West was named to the 2023 SEC Softball Community Service Team for her continuous dedication to community involvement. She works with Knoxville elementary schools to participate in physical education classes, read to students and engage in their after-school sporting events. She is honored to receive recognition at such a high level for her ongoing commitment to bettering the Knoxville community. “It makes me proud to be at a university and softball program that makes serving the community a priority,” West said. West is also part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which hosts events such as an annual holiday meal for the community and Voloween.
She says her favorite act of service thus far was during a trip to Rwanda, Africa in the summer of 2022 with VOLeaders.
Written by Ella Stewart Photos by Amelia Beuscher Designed by Natalie Neal
“For two weeks, I immersed myself in the culture and served the community. I got to visit schools and let sports be a vehicle for change. The children and communities were so grateful for the resources we provided them with, but the truth is they changed our lives more than we ever could theirs,” West said. Many of the children West serves look to her as an inspiration. As a minority student athlete, she is a representation that sports can change lives. “In a world where I get to play a sport and take it very seriously, service helps me stay grounded. There are more important things in life than hitting a homerun or striking out,” West said. This year, the volleyball team worked with Beardsley Farm to learn about the positive impact of community gardens and the farm’s mission to decrease food insecurity. Right side hitter, Morgahn Fingall, spends her own time volunteering at Lonsdale Elementary School with the Physical Education Teacher, Julie Lowe.
Models: Morgahn Fingall, Rylie West
“The Knoxville community from my perspective has been very welcoming and supportive of the Lady Vols, so to give back to the community by serving in different ways is something I look forward to,” Fingall said. Whether on the field, court or classroom, one thing is certain, the Lady Vols care for Knoxville and want to make this community an even better place for the next generation of players and fans alike. Issue II | 17