UDC Men’s Soccer Engages Community with Visit to St. Colletta School and Volunteer Work at DC Rock n’ Roll Marathon
WASHINTON, D.C. - On February 7TH and March 7th, the University of the District of Columbia Men's Soccer team participated in their annual community service events at the St. Colletta School with the Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) DC organization.
First, the student-athletes undertook an initial orientation before being assigned a young adult with differing characteristics and disabilities. Then the student-athletes were prompted to engage these young adults through various activities both with and without the soccer ball, in the hopes of getting them to have fun. The program, ran by Beth Wenger, was an invaluable experience with everyone fully engaging in providing the best experience to the children who had braved the weather to attend.
Assistant Coach Daniel Wadeson said the relationship between the UDC men's soccer program and KEEN strengthens every year.
"The interaction between student-athletes and participants is always extremely worthwhile," he said. "We look forward to next year and returning to St. Colletta to engage with the KEEN family further."
Also, on Friday March 14th the Men's Soccer program volunteered at the DC Rock 'n Roll Marathon pre-race packet pick-up at the Washington Conference Center in downtown D.C. The student-athletes dispersed pre-race packets that included a technical t-shirt and various flyers and local coupons to the runners to help the process run smoothly and enhance the race participants' experience. Also, the men's soccer student-athletes helped with ensuring participants had the correct race day essentials prior to competing.
"The players showed excellent rapport with the runners, helping put them at ease the day before the race whilst completing their shifts with a good mix of humor and professionalism - representing UDC in the correct manner," Head Coach Matthew Thompson said.
The student-athletes will complete their community service responsibilities at DC Central Kitchen on April 17th..
The Men's Soccer team, co-Competition Cup winners in 2013-14, will have worked four different projects in 2014-15 affecting the lives of all ages and needs as they continue to serve the community and beyond.