BALTIMORE – Coppin State athletic teams performed several hours of community service during the 2014-15 athletic year. Eagle student-athletes made a difference in the lives of others throughout the year while being beacons of light for the Baltimore youth.
One of the community service highlights of the past year occurred on April 28, the day after the Baltimore riots. In an effort that was spotlighted by the NCAA, several Coppin State student-athletes assisted with clean-up efforts. The NCAA tweeted out the good deeds to its 1.5 million followers.
“Cleaning up North Avenue was very important to me,” said women's basketball junior forward Jordan Swails, who led Coppin State in scoring this past season and was named to the All-MEAC Tournament team. “I'm living on campus which means that North and Pennsylvania Avenue is in my backyard. It was very terrifying so I felt like I had to make a difference.”
Other examples of community service during the year included the men’s basketball team speaking at Windsor Hill Elementary School as part of the NABC’s “Stay In To Win” program, the volleyball team working with Playworks and head baseball coach Sherman Reed handing out bookbags to the “Books and Baseball” program.
“After talking to one little kid,” Coppin State men’s basketball player Arnold Fripp said. “We had a conversation about basketball, school and life. He went back over to his teammates and showing how happy he was to talk to me. Seeing the impact I had on somebody I just met was overwhelming and touched my heart. I feel very blessed to be able to inspire young people because a lot of people don't make it to see my age, play Division I ball or attend college.”
Women’s basketball players Janelle Lane and Amber Griffin spoke at Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School as part of its “Heroes & Helpers Day” in February. Earlier in the year, Genesis Lucas and Vanessa Neal completed the “Layup for Lauren” challenge in support of women’s basketball player Lauren Hill, who died in February.
“It was a fun experience to be heroes to little kids,” Griffin said. “It was nice to help them understand the importance of going to school and keeping their grades up. It meant a lot to be part of this event and I am glad I had the opportunity to share some of my experiences with them.”
In support of American Education Week, some of Coppin State’s student-athletes went to Windsor Hill Elementary School and Gwynns Fall Elementary School to read to students, discuss the importance of physical fitness and share their college experiences. Members of the softball team assisted with a camp in Colorado during the offseason.
“I am extremely proud of our young people,” Coppin State Director of Athletics Derrick K. Ramsey said. “I want to compliment my young people for doing the right thing and consistently looking to make a difference outside of our campus. We believe that so goes Coppin, so goes the west side of Baltimore. This is our community: One University, one community and one city. We are Coppin Proud and Baltimore Strong.”