Spartan Student-Athletes Participate in Annual Case for Community Day

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Case Western Reserve University student-athletes took a break from their rigorous academic and athletic schedules to serve the community on Friday, September 16 as part of the University’s ninth-annual “Case for Community Day.” Spartan student-athletes did their part by welcoming more than 125 elementary school students from the Cleveland area for a sports clinic at the Veale Center.

“It’s a great way of giving back to the community and providing a special time for the kids,” said men’s soccer junior Eric Erb (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), who serves as a Case Association of Student Athletes (CASA) community service chairperson.

“Student-athletes at Case are privileged to be in the position we are in, so it is nice to give back and connect to the community,” noted Erb. “The kids really look up to us and seeing the smiles on their faces really makes it a great day.”

The day included training and activities in various sports as well as complimentary food and beverage for all of the children in attendance.

“This is a pretty amazing day and a great feeling for me both personally and as a student-athlete,” noted senior wrestling All-American Issac Dukes (Ravenna, Ohio/Ravenna). “This is something I wished I had when I was growing up. This day is something that we cherish, and I hope the kids are able to take the ideas we give them here and extend them beyond today and into their daily lives.”

Spartan student-athletes have provided sports clinics as a part of Case for Community Day for the past five years. The event is just the beginning for many of Case’s athletes, who contribute countless hours of community service throughout the year.

“I feel like it’s a great day for both us (student-athletes) and the kids that we see during the event,” said women’s basketball senior Chelsea Peck (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic). “It’s a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the community and to inspire young minds and bodies to stay active and to be positive role models in their young lives.”

As has been done in past years, the student-athletes of the Spartan men’s basketball team also took to the neighborhood and participated in Case for Community Day. The team volunteered it’s time to help an East-Cleveland resident with landscaping and house painting.

“Our student-athletes really look forward to this day all year,” said women’s soccer Head Coach Tiffany Crooks. “They love the chance to coach and interact and they certainly provide a fun environment for the kids. We never have a problem finding enough volunteers. This is definitely one of the highlights of their year.”

Read more on Case for Community Day at: http://www.case.edu/events/cfc/