Oct. 8, 2002
Sports sections of newspapers across the country are filled with stories of local athletes, college athletics and professional sports. The sportswriters' pregame stories and postgame wrap-ups are the fans' guide to the action on the field. In between, feature stories are written about teams, coaches and players. But stories of athletes giving something back to their community rarely make headlines.
"Being the best they can be" typifies every aspect of a cadet-athlete's life at West Point. Cadets are a special breed of young men and women who may some day be asked to lay down their life for their country.
Army's 25 intercollegiate athletic teams consistently battle for championships on the "fields of friendly strife," but among their busy slate of studies, classes, practices, games and duties within the Corps of Cadets, they still find time for community service. The Black Knights strive excellence in competition, but they prove themselves to be winners off the field as well.
Recently the women's soccer team made its annual trek to St. Louis, Mo., to participate in the Military Academies Toys for Tots Classic. Before embarking on their Midwest trip, the players raised money through the Corps to buy toys for the local Marine Corps Reserves, who kick off their annual Toys for Tots fund drive at the Classic.
While there, the players visited St. Louis Children's Hospital and also participated in a clinic for special needs kids.
"This is the sixth straight year that we have participated in this tournament," commented head coach Gene Ventriglia, who enjoyed his 200th career win in Army's 2-0 blanking of Air Force at the Classic. "We go there not just to play games, but to give something back to the community. We visited the hospital to bring cheer to children who are very sick. We give them shirts, fanny packs and hats, but more importantly we give of ourselves by spending time with the kids. We probably get more back then we give because it makes us step back and realize how fortunate we are.
"The next day we took part in a clinic sponsored by SPENSA (Special Needs Soccer Association). It was a lot of fun because it was upbeat and we were teaching the kids the sport we love ourselves. We participated in the drills and everyone had a great time," added Ventriglia, who has been at the Army helm since the program joined the varsity ranks in 1986.
The Black Knights raised more than $2,300, filling two bags with change and bills from their classmates. One of the largest amounts collected by a service academy, Army is already planning on surpassing that figure for next year's tournament.
"The cadets are usually good about giving to charitable organizations, especially when it involves children," commented 2nd Lt. Laura Schroeder, the athletic intern for women's soccer who participated in the tournament during each of the four years she played for Ventriglia. "There are between 120-130 Cadets in a company, and some companies collected as much as $300."
The sprint football team is also involved in a similar venture with its participation in the Pride Bowl at Newark's Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The game is the chief fund-raiser for Project Pride Inc., serving the children of Newark, N.J. The program has sent 870 youngsters to college and runs after-school sports and recreation programs for more than 2,000 youngsters. It also boasts an innovative academic program for elementary school students along with establishing an SAT program at three high schools.
The Pride Bowl is the first chance for many of these youngsters to attend a college football game. With Army and Navy clashing this year on Oct. 6, the game will be even more exciting as the youngsters see first-hand the intensity of one of the oldest college rivalries in the land. But the giving continues for the Army players as they will extend an invitation to one inner city school to visit West Point and attend an Army practice.
During this year's Pride Bowl press conference, several local school principals told sprint coach Gene McIntyre how much the children enjoyed their trip to the Academy. "They talked about seeing the cannons, going to practice, talking to the players and climbing on the (blocking) sleds," stated McIntyre.
The Black Knights also sponsor a busload of youngsters from Pottsville, Pa., home of the Anthracite Bowl where Army has been a main participant throughout that game's history, to a "Day at West Point" that includes attending classes with the players. When in Pottsville, the sprint players visit the local schools on the day before the game.
Army's largest contingent of athletes can be found at the Special Olympics, hosted by the West Point community each spring. Teams from football, soccer, track, tennis, basketball and lacrosse are among the many volunteers for the day-long competition. The athletes learn a life lesson, coming away inspired by the performance of the participants. They talk about "their kids" and the rewards from the experience.
Army's women's tennis players donate their hair to make wigs for children with cancer and the football and baseball teams are involved in the Make-A-Wish foundation. The hockey team has a "pen-pal" program with local second-graders. Athletes also teach Sunday School, participate in reading programs, visit veterans homes and children's hospital, or mentor through Big Brothers-Big Sisters.
The list is endless, and so too is the roster of Army athletes who continually give of themselves away from the spotlight. But unlike the playing fields, there are no losers in this game, just winners.