Listen Here
By Mara Waire
wairem@findlay.edu
UF athletes are going further than the field to make an impact on the community.
From Feb. 7 to 10, the University of Findlay women’s basketball and women’s soccer teams both put kindness and support into practice. The basketball team organized a breast cancer awareness event, while the soccer team volunteered at a youth winter camp, supporting the greater Findlay community.
The University of Findlay women’s basketball team held its annual “Pink Game” on Feb. 7 against the Tiffin Dragons. The event focused on raising support and awareness for breast cancer.
The annual event honors women and families currently battling cancer, as well as those who have fought the disease in the past. Fans were encouraged to wear pink alongside the Oilers’ traditional orange and black to show their support.
To raise money for Cancer Patient Services, the team hosted a bake sale and raffled off gift baskets at the entrance. All proceeds from raffles, baked goods, and donations totaled $1,000.
The “Pink Game” has become a tradition for the women’s basketball program, serving as a firm reminder that athletes can promote service and unity while competing.
Moving from the court to the field, the University of Findlay women’s soccer team showed its support by volunteering at an annual winter-long youth soccer camp for Liberty-Benton students. The team has built a strong relationship with the Liberty-Benton community through UF junior forward Kylie Recker, who graduated from Liberty-Benton High School.
Every year, the winter-long camp takes place on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., dividing sessions according to age groups. Each week, UF players rotate leading activities, running drills, and teaching basic soccer skills. This past Sunday, Feb. 10, players guided the different age groups through drills and listened to what they learned at the end of each activity.
The camp has become a special experience for both the athletes and the youth. Players enjoy watching the kids grow and develop from year to year, while several young athletes look up to the UF players, making the opportunity to build relationships and give back even more meaningful.
Through events like the “Pink Game” and youth camps, UF student athletes continue to make a positive impact on and off the court or field, showing how small acts of service can go a long way and make a lasting impact on the Findlay community.
