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Monmouth College student-athletes immersed in a culture of service

by Dan Nolan

Monmouth, IL (08/21/2019) — Learning at Monmouth College begins even before each year's incoming class has entered the classroom. That was the case again in August when the Class of 2023 was immediately immersed in a culture of service to others.

Incoming students, of which more than half will participate on one or more of the Fighting Scots' 24 varsity teams, dive into their first of many service projects at Monmouth days before classes officially begin. The annual Kids Against Hunger campus meal-packaging event meshes students, faculty and staff into one cohesive unit, turning out thousands of meals for the needy in just a matter of hours during matriculation weekend.

"Each year we set our goal at packaging 18,530 meals," said Assistant Director of Leadership Development Jake McLean. "We surpassed it by 50 in 2018 and packaged even more (18,594) this year. It's a great bonding experience for both the new students and the campus community. It's really something to see."

The goal is a nod to the founding of Monmouth College in 1853.

A portion of the meals will be distributed locally through the Jamieson Community Center in Monmouth. The rest will be shipped overseas to assist with the Kids Against Hunger mission. More than 300 members of the campus community participated in the 2019 event, up slightly from 2018's inaugural event.

From the meal packaging project to a canned goods drive, and from a community cleanup day to youth camps, Monmouth College student-athletes annually donate approximately 2,000 man-hours of community service during the eight-months they're on campus. Two long-running service projects which began in 2009 have formed the foundation of the Scots' commitment to service.

"It's a great learning experience for our guys," said head coach Chad Braun of the football team's eagerness to get involved in its Cleanup Day, an annual event which began in the spring of 2009. "Our Cleanup Day is a way to give back to the community. Many of those we assist are elderly, and it gives our team an opportunity to meet people outside the college community. For the city's residents, it's a chance to get to know the student-athletes as complete persons, not just a player in a jersey."

Just a few months later in the fall of 2009, Monmouth's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) began an Angel Tree for special needs residents of the community. It's just one of SAAC's many service projects throughout the year, with other events including a canned goods drive, and a Special Olympics basketball camp.

"The Angel Tree is a win-win for everyone," explained tennis coach Brian Jordan, who advises SAAC along with women's lacrosse coach Elizabeth Demara. "Our delivery always falls during final exams, but it's a reality-check and a stress reliever for our student-athletes. They see firsthand the impact that the efforts of the community have on those in our area who are less fortunate. Our student-athletes, just for a moment, forget about the stresses they have in their lives when they see the joy on the faces of those receiving the gifts. It gives them a sense of pride and plants the seed to continue to serve others when they graduate and move into their adult lives."

The Scots' teams also address life-changing events in the local school district. Jon Welty's cross country team lends a hand in the fall with the "Riley Strong" Color Run road race honoring a 12-year-old Monmouth-Roseville district student who succumbed to cancer in 2016. Members from a variety of Monmouth's athletic teams also become mentors at various elementary schools.

"Many of our players are education majors," said head coach Alan Betourne of his baseball team. "Going into the schools is a chance for them to experience education from a different perspective. The elementary students look up to our student-athletes as if they were professional athletes. We expect to add more opportunities for community service in the future."

John Goddard's softball team has become an annual fixture at a youth camp organized by the Warren County YMCA. With the date traditionally falling during the heat of the conference race, Goddard's women willingly take a break to share their knowledge with their youthful counterparts.

"The women really enjoy working with the youth players," said Goddard. "It reminds them of themselves when they were that age and just beginning to play softball. The youth players enjoy the one-on-one instruction with the older players. Our women learn, too. They have to shift gears and approach the game from a coach's perspective. Really, it's a win all the way around, not just for the clinics, but for community service in general. Giving back to your community benefits everyone, from the recipient to the giver."

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