University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hen Basketball Teams Give Back To Community By Hosting Free Youth Skills Session
11/13/2014 12:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men's and women's basketball programs held a youth skills session last Thursday as both teams gave back to the local community.
The skills fun which was free of charge, open to boys and girls in second through fifth grades, attracted more than a 100 registered attendees. Players and coaches of both Blue Hen basketball teams directed the session for the kids, in addition to taking part in a meet & greet and autograph session with the participants following the event.
“I think this was fantastic exposure to invite local children to interact personally with the men's and women's basketball teams,” said Jennifer Baur, a UD alum and Newark resident, whose two sons participated. “They are having fun, being active and making connections with the players they wouldn't necessarily get from just attending a game.”
“It's nice for the coaches and student-athletes at a large university like Delaware to take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer to spend an evening on campus with the young kids in the area and give back to the community,” Mike Baur, also a participant parent and community member, added.
UD coaches and student-athletes made appearances at Downes Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, and West Park Place Elementary Schools during the week leading up to the clinic to promote the event. All of the kids who participated were invited back to a men's and a women's basketball game during the month of December.
Tina Martin“We always enjoy working with local kids and feel that it's important to give back to the community,” Blue Hen men's head coach Monté Ross stated. “The evening gave us the ability to touch the kids' lives and gave them a glimpse into what we do, so it was very important to both our players and coaches.”
This event was one of several free youth clinics being offered across programs during the year by UD Athletics to elementary age children throughout the state.
