Morrisville State College Students, Student-Athletes Step Up to Plate to Volunteer For Campus-wide Volunteer Brigade April 20

It isn't the first time they've traded their laptops, calculators and books for matching shirts and yard tools.



Students at Morrisville State College are no strangers to rolling up their sleeves to help out in the community.



And they will be at it again on April 20 during a college-wide volunteer brigade, “Into the Streets.”



Throughout the event, students team up and volunteer to perform an array of tasks and services needed by residents in neighboring areas.



Students from all walks of campus life are getting in on the action, including teams of student-athletes.



Members of the lacrosse, football and field hockey teams, as well as students from the sports nutrition and fitness management (SNFM) program and members of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), have answered the call.



Trading in their jerseys and playing on a different turf is becoming more prevalent for student-athletes, according to Greg Carroll, director of athletics at Morrisville State College.



“We are proud of the level of commitment shown by our student-athletes,” Carroll said. “Since we have started promoting service activities, there has been a noticeable change in the culture of our [athletics] program and students appreciate the importance of providing service.”



“Into the Streets” is just one the many examples of outstanding community service where student-athletes have stepped up to the plate.



Recently, the men's basketball team played in a basketball game against Morrisville-Eaton Elementary School to celebrate the students' completion of their Parents as Reading Partners Program.



The men's ice hockey team has been actively working with Special Olympics, leading hat, coat and canned food drives, while the SAAC has also pitched in with yard clean-ups, worked with seniors at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, and volunteered at Heritage Farm, Inc., in Bouckville, an organization which provides programs, experiences and services to individuals with developmental disabilities.



In-between his studies, lacrosse practice and games, Tom Longland, a human performance, health promotion (HPHP) bachelor degree major, has done his share of community service.



A member of the ice hockey team too, this year he is in the middle of campus-wide efforts as one of two students spearheading “Into the Streets,” an event that is part of the college's Community Service Initiative (CSI).



Longland is co-coordinator of CSI along with Deb Bordelon, also an HPHP major. In their roles, they organize all community service on campus.



“The main goal of the committee is to bring the campus and community closer together,” Longland said. “I believe important life skills are learned through volunteering—ones that aren't taught in any book.”



Longland and Bordelon are combining their energy to make “Into the Streets” a success.



Events planned for “Into the Streets” so far are:

Family fun night at the Recreation Center, sponsored by the Sports Nutrition and Fitness Management (SNFM) Club (6-8 p.m.)

Free skate at IcePlex, sponsored by the men's lacrosse team (3-5 p.m.). Skate rentals are also free.

Yard clean-ups for the elderly, sponsored by the football team

Free massages for four lucky, deserving moms, sponsored by massage therapy students

Grandparent Game Day at Crouse Community Center on South Street, sponsored by the field hockey team

Child ID and Safety Day, sponsored by the Criminal Justice Club (2-7 p.m.)



Additional volunteer activities are planned. The Architecture Club will be assisting Habitat for Humanity as part of the “Into the Streets” event. The Norwich campus will host a clean-up week April 19-23 and will also hold a Norwich Day at the YMCA on April 26.



For more information about “Into the Streets,” call 684-6854.