LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. - The Queens College men's and women's soccer teams recently volunteered their time at the Variety Boys & Girls Club, as over 20 student-athletes and the coaching staff presented to a large contingent of 5-to-10-year-olds about the benefits and importance of academics, health, nutrition and exercise.
The theme of the presentation was an ideal fit, as the Boys & Girls Club of America is presently participating in a "Triple Play" program, emphasizing a healthy mind, body and spirit.
The QC student-athletes split into four groups, with each discussing a different topic with the children while taking questions and playing in a variety of different games. The 55 children were also split into four groups, and played such games as tennis, softball, soccer and basketball with equipment that was collected by Queens student-athletes in a donation box over the last several months at the College's Fitzgerald Gymnasium. At the end of the event, head coach Carl Christian and his teams donated the equipment to the Boys & Girls Club organization.
"(The children) were all talking about the event afterwards," said program director Blair Trunzo. They enjoyed it thoroughly and were very excited."
"It was a great day out," said Queens men's soccer junior, Scott Lamont. "The main thing is that the kids had a fun time, and learned about exercise and eating healthy."
"This was a very rewarding experience," said sophomore women's team member, Bernadette Wyndham. "It felt good to give back what I have learned, and it was inspiring because I felt like (the children) taught me things, as well."
"All the kids were so enthused to learn about the benefits of sports and a good education," commented freshman women's soccer player, Alexandra Troiano. "It is good to see kids so excited to play sports in the same way we all are."
Proivided by the Queens College Sports Information Department.
