USF basketball players mentored special needs kids in a series of nine clinics on behalf of E-Hoops.
Third Pillar: E-Hoops
12/12/2016 12:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Long before their season openers in November both men's and women's basketball teams were hard at work on the court and in the weight room diligently preparing for the long season ahead. Some of the team's most impactful work occurred on Sundays, when members of both squads led a series of clinics for E-Hoops, an inclusive basketball program that trains and develops both typical and special needs kids through the game of basketball.
The Dons devoted nine of their Sunday's leading up to their season openers conducting hour and a half-long clinics which emphasized basketball and life skills lessons. USF players touched approximately 70 children with special needs in dealing with autism, Down's and Tourette's syndrome along with other sensory-processing disorders.
Many of the children had never stepped on a basketball court before and some were intimated to explore their social and physical potential, especially in an unfamiliar environment. Over time, USF players quickly gained the trust of even the most withdrawn children, who eventually came out of their shells upon receiving mentoring from the players and other volunteers.
"The partnership between USF and E-Hoops goes far beyond the court and has deeply touched and permanently changed the lives of families - especially children with special needs," said Ray Kim, who coordinates the E-Hoops program in San Francisco. "The USF players poured their hearts into this program. The bond the players had with our kids was so strong that many families from as far as San Jose traveled to San Francisco because of the warmth and empowerment their children received from the encouragement of the players."
(12/12/2016) 2016 eHoops
Participating in the clinics were as impactful for the USF players as the young children they worked with on a weekly basis. "I had a great experience with E-Hoops this year," said sophomore guard Frankie Ferrari. "Developing relationships with the kids and making a positive impact on their lives is something I really enjoy. Seeing how passionate the kids are about learning the fundamentals of basketball makes me appreciate the game even more."
Said USF junior Kalyn Simon, "It was very rewarding to be able to take a break from practice, studying and work to spend a little bit of time with these great kids. I believe I ended up learning more from the children in comparison to what I was able to teach them. As athletes, we spend the majority of our time dribbling, passing and shooting a basketball and sometimes we forget where it all began. It was refreshing to witness he kids experience the joy of basketball.
"I'm honored to participate in the E-Hoops program. It's a wonderful organization that has a powerful impact on the lives of children and coaches."
E-Hoops is one of the signature programs involving USF student-athletes in support of the department's Third Pillar of Success: Engage in the Community. It's through servant leadership USF Athletics is committed to the development and care of its student-athletes by fostering an environment that honors the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for others.
"The way our kids developed in nine weeks speaks loudly to the character of the USF players and the values the coaches and school instills in its student-athletes," said Kim. "We saw the children develop socially by learning to interact with their peers and instructors and witnessed tangible growth of their motor and communication skills with the encouragement and guidance of the USF players.
"Most of all, there was a genuine interest and mutual care and interest among the players who inspired each participant to exceed their perceived limits and build memories and experiences for their future development. Countless parents commented to me every week they have yet to find a place and environment in the entire Bay Area where a program such as E-Hoops has partnered with an exceptional school like USF, where the staff and athletes come together to provide the life-changing experiences their kids experienced this fall."
"The success of this program rests entirely on the generosity of our community partners and the sacrifices made by our volunteers," said LaSchaunda Smaw, events coordinator for USF's School of Management, who introduced E-Hoops to both basketball programs. "USF's contributions have been invaluable and the dedication of the men's and women's basketball teams have helped transform the lives of our participants and their families by teaching and modeling compassionate inclusion and unyielding perseverance."
The Dons devoted nine of their Sunday's leading up to their season openers conducting hour and a half-long clinics which emphasized basketball and life skills lessons. USF players touched approximately 70 children with special needs in dealing with autism, Down's and Tourette's syndrome along with other sensory-processing disorders.
Many of the children had never stepped on a basketball court before and some were intimated to explore their social and physical potential, especially in an unfamiliar environment. Over time, USF players quickly gained the trust of even the most withdrawn children, who eventually came out of their shells upon receiving mentoring from the players and other volunteers.
"The partnership between USF and E-Hoops goes far beyond the court and has deeply touched and permanently changed the lives of families - especially children with special needs," said Ray Kim, who coordinates the E-Hoops program in San Francisco. "The USF players poured their hearts into this program. The bond the players had with our kids was so strong that many families from as far as San Jose traveled to San Francisco because of the warmth and empowerment their children received from the encouragement of the players."
Participating in the clinics were as impactful for the USF players as the young children they worked with on a weekly basis. "I had a great experience with E-Hoops this year," said sophomore guard Frankie Ferrari. "Developing relationships with the kids and making a positive impact on their lives is something I really enjoy. Seeing how passionate the kids are about learning the fundamentals of basketball makes me appreciate the game even more."
Said USF junior Kalyn Simon, "It was very rewarding to be able to take a break from practice, studying and work to spend a little bit of time with these great kids. I believe I ended up learning more from the children in comparison to what I was able to teach them. As athletes, we spend the majority of our time dribbling, passing and shooting a basketball and sometimes we forget where it all began. It was refreshing to witness he kids experience the joy of basketball.
"I'm honored to participate in the E-Hoops program. It's a wonderful organization that has a powerful impact on the lives of children and coaches."
E-Hoops is one of the signature programs involving USF student-athletes in support of the department's Third Pillar of Success: Engage in the Community. It's through servant leadership USF Athletics is committed to the development and care of its student-athletes by fostering an environment that honors the Jesuit ideals of being men and women for others.
"The way our kids developed in nine weeks speaks loudly to the character of the USF players and the values the coaches and school instills in its student-athletes," said Kim. "We saw the children develop socially by learning to interact with their peers and instructors and witnessed tangible growth of their motor and communication skills with the encouragement and guidance of the USF players.
"Most of all, there was a genuine interest and mutual care and interest among the players who inspired each participant to exceed their perceived limits and build memories and experiences for their future development. Countless parents commented to me every week they have yet to find a place and environment in the entire Bay Area where a program such as E-Hoops has partnered with an exceptional school like USF, where the staff and athletes come together to provide the life-changing experiences their kids experienced this fall."
"The success of this program rests entirely on the generosity of our community partners and the sacrifices made by our volunteers," said LaSchaunda Smaw, events coordinator for USF's School of Management, who introduced E-Hoops to both basketball programs. "USF's contributions have been invaluable and the dedication of the men's and women's basketball teams have helped transform the lives of our participants and their families by teaching and modeling compassionate inclusion and unyielding perseverance."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Women's BasketballMonday, March 09
Sunday, March 08
Sunday, February 22
Thursday, February 19
