June 29, 2012

By Vinnie James

As a part of its ongoing efforts to emphasize the ideas of community engagement, the Villanova University Athletics Department recently sponsored a service trip open to all Wildcat student-athletes. The group of 12 student-athletes and three staff members made the trip from the Main Line to Abingdon, Va., from May 13 through May 18. Abingdon is located on the Virginia-North Carolina border.

The attendees assisted the Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, Va., in putting the finishing touches on one of their homes built entirely through the efforts of volunteers and future homeowners. The Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes for members of the local community that are eventually sold at no profit and with an interest-free mortgage to those who could not otherwise afford them.

Villanova University was well represented on the trip by the following attendees: Amy Begay (Women's Lacrosse), Allison Flitter (Field Hockey), Abigail Freitag (Field Hockey), Victoria Gersh (Women's Soccer), Leah High (Field Hockey), Taylor Houck (Women's Soccer), Devon Kane (Women's Basketball), Emily Leer (Women's Basketball), Colleen Lineweaver (Women's Soccer), Emily Paolino (Field Hockey), Emily Ryan (Women's Water Polo), and Keira Anne Zambon (Field Hockey). Also attending the trip were Clare Devine (Assistant Coach - Field Hockey), Tom Carlin (Head Coach - Men's Soccer), and Fr. Rob Hagan (Associate Athletics Director).

This event was a result of the hard work and support of a number of members of the Athletics Department, namely Lynn Tighe, Sr. Associate AD/SWA. Supporting events such as this trip contributes to the ongoing efforts of the Villanova Athletics Department to stay consistent with its Augustinian values.

"The student-athlete service trip has been a huge success in large part due to the generosity of the Athletics staff who have supported it by participating and those who have supported it financially through our fundraising activities," said Tighe. "The Athletics Department, under Athletic Director Vince Nicastro's leadership, has shown a tremendous commitment to service. Vince's support of the student-athlete service trip is just another example of his commitment to the Augustinian value of service."

This was the fifth annual student-athlete service trip that was held by the Athletics Department. The event began in an effort to give student-athletes the opportunity to participate in community service activities during a time when their schedule would allow.

"There are lots of service opportunities on campus but participation in athletics makes that difficult for our student- athletes," said Tighe. "Doing a service trip during this time of the year allows most of our sports the opportunity to participate."

While most student-athletes enjoyed the beginning of some well-earned time off, this group chose to sacrifice the beginning of their summer in order to help those in need.

"These student-athletes gave up their first week of summer immediately following a draining week of finals, so to see them eager to help and to then complete projects and tasks ahead of the site managers' schedule was a testament to the Villanova spirit of giving and commitment to serving others," stated Devine.

Not surprisingly, the members of this year's service trip went above and beyond to represent the Villanova community, even impressing the most seasoned Habitat for Humanity members. Father Rob has been involved with this service trip since its inception and remains impressed with the dedication of Villanova student-athletes.

"The site coordinator noted how much was accomplished in one week and mentioned that he has been a contractor for 35 years and never saw a painting crew like this one," noted Fr. Rob. "Once again our student-athletes made us proud as they brought their passion and work ethic to the Habitat for Humanity project. Our student-athletes are extremely gifted and it is exciting to see firsthand how they answer the call to serve, and, in the process, make an incredible difference in the lives of others."

The trip also had a profound impact on the student-athletes who attended.

"The trip was an eye opening experience, not only did we bond as a group but we also formed relationships with the Habitat for Humanity volunteers that will last forever," said women's basketball player Devon Kane. "The feeling of being able to be a part of giving someone a home was an extremely rewarding and humbling experience."