Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Continue to Serve the Community
10/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 26, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Last year, the Fresno State volleyball team won its' second-consecutive Athletic Director's Community Service Award for the work the Bulldogs did off the field. This year, they are continuing their service to the community by participating in many different events, including Thursday's (Oct. 25) Read-Fresno Feed-Fresno program kickoff at Valley Oak Elementary School.
All 21 Fresno State student-athletes and coaches visited Valley Oak Elementary School and took time away from their schedules to read with the students.
"It was fun reading to the kids, they were happy to see us and looked like they enjoyed it," said senior outside hitter Angela Wiggins.
Read-Fresno Feed-Fresno, is Valley Oaks' annual book and non-perishable food collection drive. The program is planned and carried out by the Valley Oaks student council.
After the reading sessions, Fresno State student-athletes went out to the field to cheer on some of the students in a volleyball match of their own.
"Watching the game really reminded me of back in the day and how fun it was," said freshman setter Kasey Van Grouw. "To see girls love it at such a young age makes me realize how lucky I am to still be playing." On May 7, 2007 at the Kiwanis Torch of Excellence banquet honoring scholar athletes of Fresno State, Fresno State Athletic Director Thomas Boeh announced the Fresno State volleyball team received the department's annual team award for outstanding community service.
The Fresno State volleyball team again committed itself to structured community service. The team held youth volleyball clinics, visited the children's hospital, volunteered at the University's Peach Blossom Festival, Walk for Life Cancer Benefit and assisted at the Cal/Nevada Track and Field Championships.
The team's work this year has included Childrens Hospital events, volleyball clinics, and Fresno State on-campus events, such as Big & Little Heroes.
The majority of the team's community service hours the last two years have been through the ReadFresno program. Each Wednesday of the spring semester (2007) Bulldog volleyball players travels to Burrough's Elementary School and spent 40 minutes with one-on-one reading activities.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State volleyball team finishes their road trip this weekend at Utah State on Saturday, October 27. The next home match will be Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m. against San Jose State at the Save Mart Center. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone at (559)485-TIXS, or online at Ticketmaster.com.
