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University of San Francisco Athletics

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Community Service

 

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Community Initiatives
The mission of USF’s athletics program goes far beyond competition. USF’s coaches and staff understand they have a strong responsibility to the individual growth of all student-athletes and are invested in the intellectual, social, moral, spiritual and emotional development of every person who wears the Green & Gold.

By embracing the department’s Four Pillars of Success -- Excel in the Classroom; Win at the Highest Levels of Competition; Engage in the Community; and Become Leaders in the World – USF student-athletes are inspired to follow their hearts and conscience to become persons of integrity and ethics.

USF student-athletes, coaches and staff involve themselves in various service projects throughout the year in order to gain a better sense of the community in which they live, make a difference in the lives of others and develop a passion for genuine goodness. It’s through servant leadership USF Athletics is committed to the development and care of each of its student-athlete by fostering an environment that honors the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for others.

Here is a brief overview of some of various community service initiatives adopted by USF Athletics:
 
Harper for Kids
2687 Founded in 2008 by Tim and Peanut (Louie) Harper, Harper for Kids teaches children important life skills that will empower them to achieve their personal best in life. Based on lessons from John Wooden’s famed Pyramid of Success, USF student-athletes speak to children about developing character traits that will help them achieve their personal best in life. During the 2014-15 school year, USF student-athletes supported Harper for Kids by making over 20 classroom visits and speaking to close to 3,000 children throughout San Francisco. To learn more, visit harperforkids.org.

See the impact the Dons make in area classrooms in this video segment of USF Athletics: Behind the Mask
St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. Anthony Foundation
6362 In partnership with two of San Francisco’s leading non-profit organizations which are dedicated to feeding, sheltering and providing care for those in need, USF student-athletes treat the city’s most vulnerable citizens with dignity, respect and kindness by preparing food and bussing tables and serving warm meals to the guests of these organizations on a monthly basis. In 2014-15, USF student-athletes and staff served meals to over 5,000 of the less fortunate citizens of San Francisco at St. Vincent de Paul’s Multi-Service Center Homeless Shelter and St. Anthony Dining Room.
St. Ignatius Parish’s Brown Bag Lunch Program
1586 In the spirit of the Lenten season, student-athletes and staff participated in St. Ignatius Parish’s Brown Bag Lunch Program by preparing a simple lunch consisting of a sandwich, cookies and piece of fruit. The bag lunches were distributed to those in need by the St. Vincent de Paul Society on Palm Sunday. 
October Outreach and April Action
6627 In partnership with University Ministry, USF Athletics were active participants in October Outreach and April Action, a University-wide one-day initiative where members of the campus community volunteer their services for various causes throughout the Bay Area. In support of creating a culture of environmental responsibility, USF student-athletes and staff participated in various enviromental initiatives on a Saturday mornings during the fall and spring.
E-Hoops
USF men’s and women’s basketball team conducted a series of clinics at Memorial Gymnasium during the fall on behalf of E-Hoops, an inclusive basketball program that trains and develops both typical and special needs kids in athletics and as well as social skills.
Coaches Powering Forward for Autism
6628 In partnership with Autism Speaks, USF’s men’s basketball coaching staff supported the Second Annual Autism Awareness Weekend in college basketball by wearing special lapel pins during the Dons game against Gonzaga on February 8. Coaches Powering Forward for Autism is a unique way for the NCAA college basketball community and fans to spread awareness about Autism.
Holiday Food Drive
6630 In partnership with the SF-Marin Food Bank, USF Athletics conducted a Holiday Food Drive where fans exchanged a non-perishable food item for discounted admission to select home vents during November and December. Along with additional donations from USF student-athletes, coaches and staff members, USF Athletics helped feed those in need during the Holiday season.
Year-End Clothes Drive
4706 In the weeks leading up to the end of each school year, USF Athletics conducts a clothes drive where student-athletes, coaches and staff donate previously worn items to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which distributes the items to those in need in San Francisco.
Dons' Kids Club
5391 In the fall of 2014, USF launched the Dons Kids Club, which is designed to connect youth in grades K-8 to the college experience at an early age by involving youngsters in a wide variety of activities involving USF Athletics. The club provides opportunities for the youth of the Bay Area to become Dons fans at a young age and make a positive connection to USF student-athletes as role models. For an annual fee of $40, children receive a membership card, wristband, free admission to home athletic events, discounted tickets to men’s basketball games, a birthday card from Don Francisco, exclusive autograph sessions and the opportunity to be a ball kid for men’s and women’s basketball games. The Dons Kids Club is sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods. To learn more or join the kids club, please click here.
Former Initiatives
5395 Beginning in 2012-13, USF student-athletes have been active participants in San Francisco RBI, a program which is aimed to provide literacy instruction and support among young children. The program also helps build self-esteem and supports wellness within the community. By mentoring young children on a daily basis during the school year, USF student-athletes have helped raise literacy rates and improve test scores among grammar school children in participating schools throughout San Francisco. To learn more, visit sfrbi.org.

Watch USF's student-athletes in action in this video segment of USF Athletics: Behind the Mask