PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY

Hofstra University Student-Athletes were extremely busy in the community this past fall semester.  Members of our 17 athletic teams have combined for over 25 community service projects, ranging from visiting schools and hospitals, raking leaves at local homes, to fundraisers for a few terrific organizations.  Hofstra student-athletes have shown their dedication to giving of their time and talents in the idea of helping others in their community time and time again.

Some highlighted projects that our student-athletes have worked on this fall semester are:

• On September 24, 2011, the women's lacrosse team hosted the 3rd Annual Nick Colleluori Women's Lacrosse Classic at Hofstra University. The tournament included 13 teams and raised nearly $34,000 to raise awareness for the HEADstrong Foundation and blood cancer research. The women's lacrosse team did a tremendous job organizing this entertaining event that included a full day of exciting games, a fastest shot contest, face painting, and a variety of other activities to entertain fans throughout the day. Volunteers for this event included members from several of Hofstra University's athletic teams who assisted at the variety of booths and tables.
• On October 11, 2011, Hofstra University, in conjunction with the Long Island Blood Center, hosted the 10th Annual CAA Blood Drive on campus. Members of our athletic teams donated blood, as well as volunteered in various areas throughout the day. Student-athletes helped out at the registration tables, assisted those who donated blood to the recovery area, as well as scouring the campus to hand out flyers promoting the event. The efforts of all of the volunteers for this event ended with the highest number of collected pints that the Hofstra Blood Drive has seen in years past and placed Hofstra University 6th out of all CAA schools.
• On October 26, 2011, 32 student-athletes, representing 16 athletic teams, took part in the Jackson Main Elementary School Biography Day. Student-athletes traveled to Jackson Main Elementary School, located right here in Hempstead, NY, where they were each interviewed by a group of 5th grade students. The event taught the elementary school students interviewing techniques and skills, as well as how to compose a biography. The event was put together in the hopes of teaching young children the importance of reading, writing and education, and according to Jackson Main teacher Mrs. Dianne Case, it was a complete success!
• In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the Hofstra University SAAC conducted a food drive. Student-Athletes took shifts collecting canned goods at Dutch Treats, the grocery store on campus, urging students to donate to the cause. The event ran in conjunction with the Hofstra Athletics' Marketing and Promotions departments. Fans that brought a canned food item to advertised home athletic contests were given a free ticket for admission. Student-athletes were present at each designated home contests to collect the donated items. In total, the food drive collected over 150 cans that were all donated to The Interfaith Nutrition Network (the INN).
• On December 2, 2011 the Hofstra University SAAC hosted the 2nd Annual Dodgeball Tournament held in the Hofstra University Fitness Center, which raised $360 that was donated to the Let All The Children Play Foundation. Congratulations to the men's lacrosse team for claiming the championship!
• On December 9, 2011, Hofstra University SAAC hosted the 2nd Annual Date Auction, in which 15 students participated. The event was a complete success, generating over $1,300 that was donated to the Special Olympics. The highlight of the evening was a speech by Special Olympics Athlete, Danielle Lasman, who gave her thanks to Hofstra University as well as all of her volunteer coaches and mentors at the Special Olympics.

Additional community service projects completed by Hofstra University Student-Athletes:

Massapequa Soccer Club Clinics; August 12th, August 20th

This clinic was hosted for approximately 150 children, with different stations emphasizing various skills of the game of soccer.  Members of our women's soccer team helped with the clinic on August 12th, while the members of our men's soccer team helped out with August 20th clinic.

Hofstra University Freshmen Move-In; September 1st

Members of our volleyball team assisted in greeting our Hofstra University incoming freshmen as they moved onto campus, helping them get acclimated to their new surroundings.

Surfer's Way; September 11th

Surfer's Way is a non-profit organization that assists children with special needs with the opportunity to learn to surf.  Our women's lacrosse team volunteered with this organization by, helping to size children for life jackets, getting into the water and onto surf boards, as well as welcoming children back to the shore.

Surfer's Healing; September 14th

Surfer's Healing is a camp for autistic children that provides the opportunity to surf. Members of our women's lacrosse team volunteered at an event by awarding children medals as they had returned to the shore after surfing.

Tunnel To Towers Run, September 25th

Our men's lacrosse team participated in this annual 5k run, which takes place in Manhattan. This year's event marked the 10th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

 

 

Alexander's Angels Buddy Walk at Eisenhower Park; October 1st

Members of our women's golf team volunteered at the Buddy Walk, which is an event hosted by the Alexander's Angels Foundation, which supports down syndrome advocacy and research.  Hofstra University golfers played a variety of recreational activities with children and families after they completed the walk.

5th Annual Nick Colleluori Classic; October 8th, 9th

At this two-day tournament, our men's lacrosse team helped bring in over $165,000 in support of the HEADstrong foundation.

Pink Hair For Hope; October 10th

Each member of the Hofstra University women's soccer team donated $10 and received a pink extension in their hair in support of breast cancer research.

VOICE Day 2011; October 15th

The Hofstra University women's basketball team spent the afternoon getting to know participants of The VOICE program.  VOICE (Vision of Integration, Choice and Equality) is a program that encourages people to be active through athletic and recreational activities.  Hofstra's women's basketball team members shared their love of basketball with members of wheelchair basketball teams, who came together to host a wheelchair basketball tournament.

Field Hockey Breast Cancer Awareness Game; October 16th

For their game on October 16th, our field hockey team each purchased and wore pink socks as well as collected $135 during the game by collecting donations in the stands, in support of breast cancer research and advocacy.

Fall Into Fitness Day; October 21st

Women's lacrosse players, in conjunction with the Hofstra University Physical Education Department, hosted a 12-station event for 75 kindergarteners from Long Island.  The stations included educational and athletic activities, as well as encouraged the children to become more active each day.

Walnut Elementary School Exercise Night; November 3rd

Members of our women's golf team attended Walnut Elementary School annual exercise night.  Student-athletes played basketball, volleyball, soccer, and a variety of other athletic activities with young children, emphasizing the importance of making exercise as part of their daily lives.

Ronald McDonald House; November 6th

Members of our women's lacrosse team traveled to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island where they prepared a brunch for the families of children who are going through cancer treatments.

Shake-A-Rake Program; November 12th , December 4th

Members of our baseball, softball, and men's tennis teams volunteered with this event.  Student-athletes went to several homes in the Hempstead and Uniondale area, where they assisted the residents with raking the leaves on their property.

Friends Of Jaclyn Organization Adoption Program; November 13th

In 2010, the Hofstra University baseball team added a new team member, Colin Canoty. Colin is a member of the Friends Of Jaclyn Organization that seeks to enhance the lives of children battling cancer. On November 13th, Colin took a visit Hofstra's campus to hang out with his teammates.  The student-athletes spent the afternoon with Colin on the baseball field playing ball and having a great time.

Operation Christmas Child; November 15th

Teams put together funds and filled shoe boxes with small toys, arts and crafts and daily sanitary needs.  The shoe boxes were wrapped and donated to Operation Christmas Child, who gives the boxes out as holiday presents to children living in orphanages around the world. The teams that took part in this terrific event were:

• Baseball
• Women's Cross Country
• Women's Golf
• Men's Lacrosse
• Women's Lacrosse
• Wrestling
• Women's Soccer
• Softball

1in9 Cancer Facility Clean-Up Day; November 19th

The Hofstra University baseball team took a trip to the 1in9 Cancer Facility, in Hewlett, NY.  Student-athletes helped in a variety of ways, including raking leaves, cleaning up the grounds, moving boxes and helping to organize items in an effort to help to make the facility, which hosts daily meeting for cancer patients, more accessible.

The INN; November 21st

Members of our women's basketball team took a visit to the Interfaith Nutrition Network, in Hempstead, NY.  Student-athletes, along with young children who were visiting The INN, together made arts and crafts that were donated to the families who frequent The INN on a regular basis.  The INN held this event in order to promote the importance of giving back to the less fortunate in our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Long Island Clinics; November 23rd, November 30th

Members of our softball and baseball teams took turns hosting recreational days here on campus for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.  Student-athletes spent the afternoon playing sports with the children as well as instructing them on proper stretching and fitness techniques.

Floral Park Youth Council Baseball Clinic; December 3rd

The Hofstra University baseball team conducted a clinic for the Floral Park Youth Council at Floral Park Memorial High School.  The clinic consisted of a number of stations, each stressing a different skill necessary in the sport of baseball as well as strength and conditioning exercises.

Winthrop Hospital Volunteer Visit; December 3rd

The Hofstra University women's tennis team took time to visit the pediatrics wing of Winthrop University Hospital.  The student-athletes brought arts and crafts with them for a day of art with some young patients.  They also made a few extra crafts for any patients who were unable to attend the event.

Mercy Medical Center Visit; December 10th

Members of our baseball team recently visited Mercy Medical Center.  Student-athletes met with several elderly patients in the rehabilitation center of the hospital, conversing with recovering patients and sharing a few stories.