Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Honored For Their Community Service Work
5/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
May 10, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - Along with the numerous individual awards presented at last Monday's Kiwanis Torch of Excellence dinner, the Fresno State Volleyball team was recognized for their outstanding work off of the court with the third annual Athletic Director's Team Award for Community Service.
"Serving the community is an important part of the mission of Fresno State and the athletics department," said Fresno State athletics director Thomas Boeh. "Each team was active in a variety of community service projects through the year, and it made me proud to be part of such a giving group of young people. While we would like to honor all of them for their efforts, the award has gone to the one team that best served our community this past year."
At the heart of the team's community service program this year was a series of ten developmental youth volleyball clinics. Throughout the spring, the Bulldog volleyball team traveled to schools throughout the Fresno, Central and Clovis unified school districts, as the team worked with each school once for a one-hour clinic that involved around 50 students per clinic. Those weekly trips for the clinics replaced practice for that day, emphasizing the volleyball program's commitment to community service and involvement.
"The chance to participate in Division I athletics doesn't appear out of nowhere," said head coach Ruben Nieves. "So much of that opportunity is made possible through the support of many individuals and businesses here in the Valley. It's an honor to give back to our community that does so much for us."
Additionally, the volleyball team was involved in a wide variety of projects and presentations this past year, and was rewarded for that diversity as well. Senior Robyn Keune traveled with head coach Ruben Nieves to San Antonio, Texas, where they took part in the NCAA Youth Education through Sports Clinic. The team also participated in several Athletics Department promotional events including the Alumni Association's Root Beer Float Event, Bulldog Boulevard and Vintage Days. They were a part of the Kids' Day fundraiser and volunteered their time at the university's E-Waste Recycling event last month. Members of the volleyball team are also part of the Little Heroes/Big Heroes program and the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser.
The plaque representing the award is kept in the Ricchiuti Academic Center, where the inscription reads: "Honoring teams that through their hard work and dedication made a positive contribution to the Valley." The Volleyball team is the third winner of the Athletic Director's Team Award for Community Service. The Track and Field team won the inaugural award, and the Equestrian team was the winner in 2005.
