The pin flags on the first, 10th and 18th holes were American flags as part of the day honoring fallen soldiers. (Photo by Tyler Schank / NCAA Photos)
Media Center Justin Whitaker and Susanna Weir
Community engagement activities with student-athletes involve elementary and middle school students, fallen soldiers
As 82 teams of student-athletes from six sports traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the NCAA Division II Championships Festival, their attention was focused not just on competing for a national title but also on making a difference.
As the NCAA is committed to improving communities that host championships and Division II places an emphasis on life in the balance, student-athletes from each team and sport participated in community service activities throughout their week in Orlando.
Student-athletes spent time visiting veterans, children's hospitals, retirement communities, elementary schools and youth communities. Participating organizations included the American Red Cross, Team IMPACT, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Folds of Honor.
"It's really important for student-athletes to be involved in the community," said Cece Colombo, a member of the women's lacrosse team at the University of Tampa. "Student-athletes are role models … so you have to be able to give back and show what it means to be a student-athlete. You're not just an athlete and a student; it's about the whole perception."
We spent some time with women's lacrosse and men's and women's golf student-athletes as they participated in their respective community engagement activities.
Women's lacrosse student-athletes give back to local youths
It would have been easy to mistake the classrooms and gyms for the championship lacrosse field with all the cheers, claps and excitement.
On Tuesday, women's lacrosse student-athletes went out into the community to spread their love of the sport with local youths, many who didn't have much familiarity with the sport. Tampa visited Future Leaders Christian Academy while Adelphi, East Stroudsburg and Regis (Colorado) all visited local Boys and Girls Clubs.
The student-athletes introduced youths to the basic skills of the game, including how to catch and pass. They also spoke to them about their student-athlete experiences.
"It means a lot," Colombo said of the experience. "When I was these kids' ages, I looked up to any and all student-athletes. … I wanted to be them one day. So coming back here and being able to teach them about the sport of lacrosse and just hang out with them, it's an awesome feeling."
"Seeing the kids smile when they give a good pass or when they catch the ball … that look on their faces is rewarding to see," added Olivia Wenrich, a women's lacrosse student-athlete at East Stroudsburg.
The participating student-athletes said that having the opportunity to make a difference in the local community served to enhance their championship experience.
"This whole entire Division II festival has been amazing," Colombo said. "It's just shown me how much the NCAA reaches across the entire country … having these experiences are lifelong memories."
Folds of Honor at men's and women's golf
Student-athletes carried more than the pressure of competing for a national championship on Day 2 of the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Golf Championships — they were playing for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Each student-athlete was announced during tee time introductions along with the name of a fallen soldier in whose honor they were playing the day's match. TheFolds of Honor Foundationgave the students a small magnetic blue triangle pin with six stars to wear on their hat or golf bag, denoting the additional meaning of the day's competition.
At all 36 tee boxes on the Crooked Cat and Panther Lake courses at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, a picture and brief description of a fallen soldier was displayed. The pin flags for the first, 10thand 18th holes were American flags with specific instructions for golfers to show respect and not toss them on the ground like typical pin flags.
The round served as a patriotic reminder that gave additional meaning to the day.
"It puts things in perspective," said Bennett Baldwin, a student-athlete on the Central Oklahoma men's golf team. "After you come off a bogey and you step on the tee and see someone lost their life at 26 years old, you know it makes you feel like you're in a good spot. That reminder takes away some of the frustration and makes you feel really grateful."
U.S. Army veteran Joe Ruelas volunteered to help around the course for the day. The moments honoring those who gave their life in the line of duty were significant for him.
"What these soldiers did is beyond important. They are heroes," said Ruelas, who was enlisted between 2002 and 2021 and did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They were willing to give everything they had so that everybody else can have a beautiful life every day."
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