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.
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 a 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”. In addition, the women's lacrosse team won the IWLCA 2008 Division I Team Community Awareness Award, which recognizes an entire team that has contributed significantly in its community.
For more information about the UMBC Athletics Community Outreach Program, contact Community Outreach Director Kelly Fahey at 410-455-3389 or kfahey1@umbc.edu. For information on other community service events on campus, check out UMBCServes.
October 18, 2009: Race for the Cure
Team UMBC raised $2,500 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at the 2009 Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure in Baltimore on Oct. 18.
For more information, please visit www.komenmd.org.
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School Visits: Building Academic Excellence Through Team Work
UMBC student-athletes and coaches travel to schools and organizations in the area to give presentations 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.
Our student-athletes also read to local elementary school students.
Make A Difference Mentoring Program
The UMBC Athletics’ mentoring program pairs each student-athlete 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. During the 2009-10 school year, 42 student-athletes mentored for a total of 1,260 hours.
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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. During the Fall of 2009, 37 student-athletes volunteered for a total of 74 hours.
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Mid-Day Madness
On January 21, 2010, UMBC hosted the Fifth Annual Midday Madness. The event brought more than 1,400 students and faculty from 13 local elementary and middle schools. The groups receive a tour of the campus from UMBC student-athletes, eat lunch in our dining facilities, and attend a UMBC women’s basketball game.
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WBCA Pink Zone
On February 18, 2010, UMBC participated in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone initiative to help raise breast cancer awareness. The women's soccer team held a bake sale, while the volleyball team sold 50/50 raffle tickets, and the women's lacrosse team sold pink ribbons. UMBC raised more than $500 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
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Relay Elementary School Polar Express Assembly
Relay Elementary School holds an annual reading of the beloved children's story, "The Polar Express" every December. The elementary school students dress in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal along for the school-wide reading of the book. The reading tradition began 10 years ago to honor both Relay's historical connection to railroads and a former principal, Dr. James Skarbek, who loved books, trains and kids.
Over the years, Relay Elementary has had many guest readers, including Governor Ehrlich and members of the Baltimore Ravens. This year, UMBC was honored to be the guest readers at the school assembly.
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The UMBC student-athletes who participate in the Make a Difference mentoring program were asked to be a part of the exciting tradition.
Men's lacrosse player Sam Eitel, baseball player Curtis Schickner and volleyball player Bianca Sande read the book, while the other mentors sat at the front of the room, proudly representing UMBC. The UMBC student-athletes encourage the elementary school students to work hard, stay in school and someday pursue a college education of their own.
Post-Game Autograph Sessions
Following select home games, each UMBC team signs autographs for their fans. These sessions provide fans an opportunity to meet the student-athletes and take home a memorable souvenir.
 2009 Catonsville Festival |
 Women's Basketball Clinic |
 HCYP Clinic |
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