UIndy athletic teams give back to community
Even before the first game of the season, the members of the University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team were suited up in full uniform. But instead of taking their positions on the field, the team took a trip to Riley Hospital for Children on Thursday, Aug. 25, to visit patients.
Although the two-hour visit to Riley meant one less preseason practice for the team, junior forward Bobby Adkins said the trip was more than a break from the heat and sweat of practice.
“It was a nice way to get off the field, but at the same time, a good way to help out the community and see some kids smile,” Adkins said.
At the hospital, the team separated into different groups to interact with more patients. Some players visited the cancer ward, while others helped out with the activity hour. The team brought along autographed posters and passed them out to patients, inviting them to games, in hope that some patients might be able to attend in the future.
Head Coach John Higgins described the players and patients as mutually shy at first, but said both sides soon opened up when common subjects such as sports, video games and cartoons.
“The guys were really putting themselves out there,” Higgins said. “They did a good job empathizing with the kids.”
Both Higgins and Adkins agreed that the trip was a reality check for the team.
“During preseason, we’ve got guys complaining about being tired and sore. Going to Riley put everything in perspective,” Higgins said.
Higgins was pleased with the team’s visit, which was the first time a UIndy team has gone to Riley to interact with the patients. He hopes to plan more trips and organize more events to benefit the hospital in the future.
Although the Riley trip marked the first community service venture of the year from a UIndy sports team, it will not be the last.
The UIndy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee promotes athletics, encourages student-athlete leadership at the university and requires one community service project a year for each sports team.
The UIndy baseball team gave back to the community by donating blood at the “Gift of Life” Blood Drive held by UIndy for Riley on Sept. 8.
In addition to each team’s community service, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee sponsors other similar activities throughout the year, including adopting a family for Christmas, holding a canned food drive and raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Jackie Paquette, assistant sports information director, stressed the importance of extending the presence of UIndy’s athletic teams from the fields, courts, and stadiums out into the Indianapolis community.
Beyond the obvious benefit of helping others, Paquette said that community service is valuable because it creates more well-rounded athletes.
“[Community service] reflects well upon the university. We aren’t just going out and playing games,” Paquette said.
Higgins echoed Paquette’s views admitting that he is quick to tell any men’s soccer recruits that visit campus that the team is thoroughly invested in community service. Last spring, the team was active in community service benefiting Special Olympics Indiana.
“You end up getting more out of it yourself than the people you are helping,” Higgins said.
