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 19, 2008: Race for the Cure
The Retriever women’s basketball team and women’s lacrosse team joined forces Oct. 19 as they represented UMBC at the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure in Baltimore. The 67- member team raised $3,500 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I think we made a big impression doing this as an entire team. For them to see a group of people with busy lives still committed to doing great things for the community, that’s just huge,” said junior women’s lacrosse player Rachel Pincus.
The women’s basketball team participated in the Race for the Cure for the second consecutive year. Assistant coach Sharri Rohde, who finished fourth in her age group, said the race was important to her personally and to the team. “The research, the support for victims and survivors, and just finding a cure is so important. It’s great that our girls can show their support so close to home.”
Other top finishers for “Team UMBC” included sophomore Ashley Stodter, freshman Jessica Harkey, and senior Ashley Lancer of the women’s lacrosse team, who finished second, fifth and seventh in their age groups, respectively.
For more information, please visit www.komenmd.org.
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.
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 2008-09 school year, 36 Retrievers mentored students for a total of 1,080 hours.
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 2008, 36 Retrievers volunteered for a total of 288 hours.
Mid-Day Madness
On January 21, 2009, UMBC hosted the Fourth Annual Midday Madness. The event brings an average of 800 students, teachers and administrators to the university each year. 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.
Polar Bear Plunge
On January 24, 2009, UMBC Athletics participated in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park. UMBC’s 12 participants joined the thousands of plungers gathered to take a dip in the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for the Maryland Special Olympics. UMBC alone raised more than $2,155.
WBCA Pink Zone
On February 21, 2009, UMBC participated in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone initiative to help raise breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from the event benefited the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership for the V Foundation. The women's soccer team held a bake sale, while the volleyball team sold pink ribbon pins. In addition, head women's basketball coach Phil Stern made a donation for every 3-pointer the Retrievers made that evening.
Lacrosse Games for a Cause
On March 6, 2009, the men's and women's lacrosse teams participated in a "Games for a Cause" doubleheader. The women's lacrosse game against Holy Cross benefited the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through Under Armour's Power in Pink initiative, while the men's lacrosse game against Princeton benefited Lacrosse for Autism. The teams combined to raise $700 for their charities.
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.
Other Community Outreach Events and Programs in 2008-09
Fall 2008: Special Olympics of Maryland Young Athletes Program
September 7, 2008: Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams mingled at the Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival
September 14, 2008: Men’s Lacrosse participated in The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Run, raising $800 for prostate cancer
September 20, 2008: As part of US Youth Soccer Month, members of US Youth Soccer gave away prizes at a men’s soccer game, and the Retrievers had a post-game autograph session.
September 24, 2008: Men’s Basketball team visited Preston Mitchum Jr. Foundation at Lansdowne Elementary School
October 1, 2008: Women’s Soccer team attended Halethorpe Elementary School’s Student of the Month Assembly
October 1, 2008: Women’s Basketball team visited Catonsville Elementary School
October 8, 2008: True Grit visited Thunder Hill Elementary School for National Walk to School Day
October 11, 2008: Men’s Lacrosse participated in the Price-Modern Lacrosse for Leukemia Fall Invitational Tournament, raising $7,000
October 11, 2008: Retriever Kids Club at the Men’s Soccer game – Kids Club members enjoyed free admission, a pizza party and a moon bounce.
October 22, 2008 and November 8, 2008: Women’s Lacrosse team volunteered at the Maryland Food Bank
November 9, 2008: Women’s Basketball team hosted a coaches clinic, where kids watched practice and asked questions and the players signed autographs
December 2008: Men’s and Track & Field teams held a Christmas Toy Drive for the Children’s Home of Catonsville, collecting toys and gifts for 100 kids
December 2008: Women’s Lacrosse filled shoeboxes with holiday gifts for children in need around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan’s Purse
January 10, 2009: Retriever Kids Club at UMBC Basketball Doubleheader – Kids Club members enjoyed free admission, a pizza party and a moon bounce
March 30, 2009: Men’s Lacrosse team visited Catonsville Middle School
April 4, 2009: Men’s Lacrosse team hosted a free clinic for youth players, run by coaches and alumni, prior to game vs. Binghamton
April 17, 2009: Men’s Soccer team visited Vincent Farm Elementary School and hosted a clinc
Men’s Basketball spoke to Digital Harbor High School students when they visited campus
Women’s Basketball team Visited Johnnycake Elementary School
Women’s Lacrosse team donated travel and stick bags to Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation (WINNERS Lacrosse)
UMBC Athletics collected 63 pairs of shoes in the Soles for Souls shoe drive
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