Student-athletes volunteer in the community, support causes

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

OU's student-athletes are dedicated to volunteering in the community. This fall provided a number of opportunities for students to help others.

Throughout the year, Oakland University’s student-athletes donate their time and effort in support of the local community. This October, countless Golden Grizzlies participated in a number of events.

One such event was in early October when OU student-athletes took part in Ebling Fun Day, providing more than 700 youth with training skills, sports drills and all-around fun and games.

“We certainly stress the importance of giving back to the community in which we reside and strive to instill a spirit of service,” said Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Services Holly Kerstner.

Members of Oakland’s Cheer and Dance teams joined beloved OU mascot Clawzz, cheering on more than 600 participants who took part in the Delta Kelly Fun Run held on Oct. 8 at Delta Kelly Elementary School in Rochester. The cheer and dance teams also performed at the Great Michigan Race, an event that raised money to support Special Olympics Michigan.

The OU volleyball team helped raise $1,300 through a “Dig Pink” fundraiser held during its Oct. 30 game against Centenary College. Event proceeds benefited the Side Out Foundation, an organization devoted to fighting breast cancer by hosting fundraisers at high school and college volleyball matches across the country.

OU swimmers helped raise awareness and support of breast cancer research during a fundraiser held at their Oct. 30 meet against Wayne State University. The event featured a bake sale and raffle drawing that helped raise a total of $2,794.32 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“Our student-athletes have truly learned the meaning of service and once they volunteer, it becomes part of their routine; not only do they serve as a student-athlete at Oakland, they remain involved in service throughout their lifetime,” Kerstner continued.

Additionally, the OU Cross Country teams sponsored a month-long “Reuse-a-Shoe” campaign that netted 180 shoes to be recycled and re-used in the construction of various athletic surfaces, such as track surfaces and tennis courts.

Golden Grizzly student-athletes also are reaching out to the youth in the community. The Grizz Reading Club encourages elementary students to “Make a Slam Dunk with Reading.” From October through February, the program tracks students’ reading progress around the basketball court, with a “free throw” (one book), “jump shot” (two books), “lay up” (three books) and “slam dunk” (four books). Participants can earn a variety of prizes, including free tickets to select golden grizzly basketball games at the O’Rena.

Launched in late October, the Grizz Kidz Club is another program geared toward youngsters. The group offers youth in the community a chance to meet and mingle with OU men’s basketball players and members of the OU Cheer and Dance teams. Club members are encouraged to stay active in sports and to participate in numerous free events, including postgame shootarounds, basketball clinics with OU players, locker room tours, question-and-answer sessions, autograph sessions and more.

For more information about Oakland's athletics programs, view the website at ougrizzlies.com.