COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The UMBC Athletics Community Outreach Program is dedicated to promoting a positive relationship between our student-athletes and communities surrounding the university. The program was developed in 1993 with the intention of encouraging young people to value and appreciate education through athletics. During the 2005-2006 school year, UMBC athletes performed a total of more than 5,000 hours of community service through programs based in the Baltimore area.

Building Academic Excellence Through Team Work

UMBC student-athletes and coaches travel to schools and organizations in the area to present a one hour presentation to young students. Through these presentations and mini-clinics, teams emphasize the importance of doing well in school, setting goals, and leading a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Make A Difference Mentor Program:

The UMBC Athletics’ mentor program pairs student-athletes with an elementary or middle school student to assist in academic areas of need for one hour a week per semester. These relationships provide young students with excellent role models who are able to effectively communicate with them. In 2005-06, UMBC sent mentors to five different schools.

Ride With Pride Program

Student-athletes assist trainers in horseback riding activities for children with disabilities at the Maryland Equestrian Center in Catonsville. Riders are able to learn basic riding skills while improving their self esteem, socialization, and communication skills.

Mid-day Madness

For the first time ever, UMBC hosted “Mid-day Madness” on January 26, 2006. The event brought over 800 students, teachers, and administrators to the university. The groups received a tour of the campus, ate lunch in our dining facilities, and attended a women’s basketball game vs. Albany.

Student-Athlete Day

Catonsville Middle School students had the opportunity to “shadow” a student-athlete for a day. The children were able to attend class, the dining hall, and practices with athletes which enabled to them to fully understand the college experience.

The UMBC Athletics Community Outreach Program has been nationally recognized for its excellence. The men’s lacrosse team’s efforts with the “Ride With Pride” program earned them the 2000 “Volunteer of the Year” award by the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association. UMBC’s role with “Ride With Pride” has been the subject of features aired by WMAR-TV and Fox Sports News over the past several years. Fox Sports News also featured the group of UMBC’s student-athletes that worked with “Habitat for Humanity” in New Orleans in the spring of 2006 and The NCAA News spotlighted UMBC in its February “Center Piece”.