Community Service Brings Lacrosse Team Closer
Zach Lewis
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: Sports
The Utica College women's lacrosse team is gearing up for another season, but this year is proving to be different from all the rest. Head coach Bernadette Macca is not only pushing the team to do well on the field, but she is also encouraging them to do well in the community.
The women's lacrosse team is becoming more active in the Utica area. At least once a month, the team volunteers at the Masonic Home on Bleeker Street. They are active in the Masonic Home's "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program. The program gives the girls an opportunity to become a surrogate grandchild to the elderly residents.
According to Rob Lauducci, director of volunteer services at the Masonic Home, the team has a chance to interact with the residents one-on-one while participating in the "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program.
"They are able to share time with the residents," Lauducci said. "It is great for the residents because many of them do not have family in the area."
"Bernadette is also really serious about this program," Lauducci added.
Macca, now in her second year as head coach, is passionate about team unity. She believes a good way to get the team to bond is through group activities, such as volunteering.
"Our job as coaches is not only to help the athletes become better lacrosse players, but also better students and better people," Macca said. "Volunteering gives us the chance, as a team, to help others, and in return we learn more about ourselves and appreciate our lives."
Midfielder Jackie Vicencio says that the team wants to do better things for the community.
"It is less about playing the game and more about helping people," Vicencio said. "It shows that we are not just all about the sport."
Senior defenseman Kerri Weber finds it exciting to go to the Masonic Home to volunteer.
"It brightens up their day to see new faces," Weber said. "It makes both of our days brighter."
Lauducci said he not only appreciates the team volunteering, but the residents appreciate it as well.
The women's lacrosse team is becoming more active in the Utica area. At least once a month, the team volunteers at the Masonic Home on Bleeker Street. They are active in the Masonic Home's "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program. The program gives the girls an opportunity to become a surrogate grandchild to the elderly residents.
According to Rob Lauducci, director of volunteer services at the Masonic Home, the team has a chance to interact with the residents one-on-one while participating in the "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program.
"They are able to share time with the residents," Lauducci said. "It is great for the residents because many of them do not have family in the area."
"Bernadette is also really serious about this program," Lauducci added.
Macca, now in her second year as head coach, is passionate about team unity. She believes a good way to get the team to bond is through group activities, such as volunteering.
"Our job as coaches is not only to help the athletes become better lacrosse players, but also better students and better people," Macca said. "Volunteering gives us the chance, as a team, to help others, and in return we learn more about ourselves and appreciate our lives."
Midfielder Jackie Vicencio says that the team wants to do better things for the community.
"It is less about playing the game and more about helping people," Vicencio said. "It shows that we are not just all about the sport."
Senior defenseman Kerri Weber finds it exciting to go to the Masonic Home to volunteer.
"It brightens up their day to see new faces," Weber said. "It makes both of our days brighter."
Lauducci said he not only appreciates the team volunteering, but the residents appreciate it as well.
Be the first to comment on this story