May 18, 2010
Photo Gallery
SPOKANE, Wash. - The spring is typically a slightly slower paced season for most soccer teams, but not for the Gonzaga Women's Soccer squad. In addition to a rigorous spring training and competition schedule, the Zags played a large part in the Spokane community. Through volunteer work with a variety of local non-profit organizations and elementary schools, nearly 300 hours of community outreach was accumulated by the team during the Spring 2010 Semester.
As a team, Women's Soccer volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the USA Cross Country Championships, and Vinegar Flats Garden. On a cold January morning, the team assisted with various building projects at a condominium structure that is Spokane's 200th Habitat-built residence. Habitat is a non-profit Christian ministry that builds affordable homes for families in need. At the USA Cross Country Championships, held February 13 in Spokane, the Zags helped dismantle the course. Several spring gardening projects were accomplished when the team visited Vinegar Flats Garden in April. The Garden provides fresh produce and promotes healthy lifestyles for the occupants at St. Margaret's Women's and Children's Shelter.
Throughout the semester, ladies from the team assisted with meal servings at Union Gospel Mission (UGM). A non-profit Christian relief and rehabilitation agency, UGM offers a free drug and alcohol rehabilitation program to its residents and serves daily meals to local men, women, and children in need.
Members of Women's Soccer serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) contributed to collections organized and facilitated by the Committee. SAAC partnered with Page Ahead for their fifth annual book drive at a women's basketball game in January, as well as Soles4Souls at the second annual shoe drive during a men's basketball game in February. Page Ahead supports and promotes children's literacy and reading programs in Spokane County. Soles4Souls provides shoes for those in need across the globe; this year's shoes were donated to victims of January's devastating earthquake in Haiti. Also through SAAC involvement, representatives from the Women's Soccer team volunteered at Shriners Children's Hospital's Open House, welcoming and interacting with patients and their families to help them adjust and become more comfortable with the Hospital's services, facilities, and staff.
Logan, Garfield, Trent, St. Georges, and Liberty (Spangle, WA) Elementary Schools were frequented by members of the Women's Soccer team. The visits were primarily focused around the importance of reading, school work, motivation, and advice on what it takes to be a successful college student-athlete.
Head Coach Amy Edwards on the importance of community outreach, "In athletics winning on and off the field is important and as a staff we stress giving back to our community as a priority for our players. As members of Gonzaga Athletics, we are very privileged to do what we do and our team understands there is huge value in reaching out to help others that may not be as fortunate. Our players have really embraced this principle and constantly are looking for ways to contribute to the Spokane community in a positive manner."
Sophomore, Emma Dolcetti echoes Coach Edwards's comments, "Community service has become a large part of our women's soccer program this spring. It has not only helped to strengthen our team and the bond we share, but it has also helped many of us realize how privileged we are. Community service has been fulfilling and a way for us to give back to the community after all of their help and support at our many athletic events. I hope that in the future our team, along with all other Gonzaga athletic teams, will continue to participate in community service opportunities."
