Mountaineer Rowing Takes Pride in Serving the Community
April 24, 2020 12:34 PM | Rowing
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Each and every person can do their part to serve their local area wherever you may be. For the Mountaineer Rowing program, serving the community of West Virginia University, Morgantown and West Virginia is a staple of the program and a duty each member is proud to be a part of.
This month, the West Virginia University rowing team was recognized as one of Helper Helper's top-10 Division I women's rowing community service teams of 2019-20. WVU ranked no. 8 on the list of 10 teams, behind Bucknell and ahead of Clemson. Helper Helper is the system used by athletics departments across the country to track community service hours for all teams. The system has access to more than 200 college athletics departments' community service data and hours, which is how Helper Helper creates the nationwide rankings.
"As coaches, we often talk about how the small things matter and how small acts can lead to great things," WVU coach Jimmy King said. "In this case, it's great for our team to see how their frequent acts of service in our community have added up over the year and to remind them of all that they've done for others."
This year, the rowing team completed 586 hours of community service. Paired with a team impact score of 64, the team ranks in the top five in hours and impact score amongst other WVU Athletics teams. As a part of this year's Blue & Golden Globe Awards for Community Service, freshman Pareera Uqaily was honored as one of the top three student-athletes to be recognized for her outstanding community service. The rowing team also was honored during this year's Blue & Golden Globe Awards for their community service outreach, checking in at second place.
"Our rowing program has consistently worked to build strong relationships in the community and make service a key component of their team mission," WVU Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Tangela Cheatham said. "This commitment has led to them being top tier amongst Division I rowing programs, as well as amongst WVU athletics programs. They take initiative to plan service as well as coordinating with student-athlete enhancement to organize service events throughout the academic year. We're excited about their drive and passion to give back."
"We appreciate all of Director Cheatham's efforts to coordinate and facilitate our department's community service efforts including the use of Helper Helper. within our team," King added. "Coach (Tina) Griffith has long been our team's community service point person and the face of our team in the community. I appreciate all the time and effort she devotes to this very important aspect of our student-athletes' experiences as Mountaineers."
The rowing team has participated in several activities that serve the Morgantown and West Virginia University communities, including buddying with foster care children at the Mountaineer Fan Festival and Beauty and the Beast events, helping with Viking Performance Training's "Strong Kids" competition, visiting nursing homes and local schools for read-aloud sessions and other activities.
Additionally, West Virginia rowing has developed a special relationship with Skyview Elementary School with almost 300 hours during the 2019-20 academic year. Each year, the rowing team with Skyview's Holiday Mall by wrapping presents, working the event and buddying with kids to help them purchase gifts for their family members. A few members of the team also painted a mural on the walls of the library this past fall.
"WVU Rowing has been a true gift to Skyview Elementary," Skyview Principal Jennifer Cox said. "Their volunteer efforts have helped students see strong women helping others. The athletes have also made our library a much more inviting space. The mural painted was a surprise to our students and encouraged them to check out books and use their creative side! I am so happy to have these women as a part of our Rocket family."
The Mountaineers also have incorporated community service into their team mini-challenges that they have been conducting following the suspension of all athletic-related activities and events due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These mini-challenges include writing 'thank you' notes to essential/health care workers with chalk, making and delivering masks, cards and food, picking up trash, donating blood and plasma and donating money to various causes.
"We have incorporated volunteering into our mini-challenges that we are doing as a team since we have been separated," Griffith said. "This allows us to show thanks and respect for others as well as allowing our athletes to grow closer with one another."
This month, the West Virginia University rowing team was recognized as one of Helper Helper's top-10 Division I women's rowing community service teams of 2019-20. WVU ranked no. 8 on the list of 10 teams, behind Bucknell and ahead of Clemson. Helper Helper is the system used by athletics departments across the country to track community service hours for all teams. The system has access to more than 200 college athletics departments' community service data and hours, which is how Helper Helper creates the nationwide rankings.
"As coaches, we often talk about how the small things matter and how small acts can lead to great things," WVU coach Jimmy King said. "In this case, it's great for our team to see how their frequent acts of service in our community have added up over the year and to remind them of all that they've done for others."
This year, the rowing team completed 586 hours of community service. Paired with a team impact score of 64, the team ranks in the top five in hours and impact score amongst other WVU Athletics teams. As a part of this year's Blue & Golden Globe Awards for Community Service, freshman Pareera Uqaily was honored as one of the top three student-athletes to be recognized for her outstanding community service. The rowing team also was honored during this year's Blue & Golden Globe Awards for their community service outreach, checking in at second place.
"Our rowing program has consistently worked to build strong relationships in the community and make service a key component of their team mission," WVU Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Tangela Cheatham said. "This commitment has led to them being top tier amongst Division I rowing programs, as well as amongst WVU athletics programs. They take initiative to plan service as well as coordinating with student-athlete enhancement to organize service events throughout the academic year. We're excited about their drive and passion to give back."
"We appreciate all of Director Cheatham's efforts to coordinate and facilitate our department's community service efforts including the use of Helper Helper. within our team," King added. "Coach (Tina) Griffith has long been our team's community service point person and the face of our team in the community. I appreciate all the time and effort she devotes to this very important aspect of our student-athletes' experiences as Mountaineers."
The rowing team has participated in several activities that serve the Morgantown and West Virginia University communities, including buddying with foster care children at the Mountaineer Fan Festival and Beauty and the Beast events, helping with Viking Performance Training's "Strong Kids" competition, visiting nursing homes and local schools for read-aloud sessions and other activities.
Additionally, West Virginia rowing has developed a special relationship with Skyview Elementary School with almost 300 hours during the 2019-20 academic year. Each year, the rowing team with Skyview's Holiday Mall by wrapping presents, working the event and buddying with kids to help them purchase gifts for their family members. A few members of the team also painted a mural on the walls of the library this past fall.
"WVU Rowing has been a true gift to Skyview Elementary," Skyview Principal Jennifer Cox said. "Their volunteer efforts have helped students see strong women helping others. The athletes have also made our library a much more inviting space. The mural painted was a surprise to our students and encouraged them to check out books and use their creative side! I am so happy to have these women as a part of our Rocket family."
The Mountaineers also have incorporated community service into their team mini-challenges that they have been conducting following the suspension of all athletic-related activities and events due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These mini-challenges include writing 'thank you' notes to essential/health care workers with chalk, making and delivering masks, cards and food, picking up trash, donating blood and plasma and donating money to various causes.
"We have incorporated volunteering into our mini-challenges that we are doing as a team since we have been separated," Griffith said. "This allows us to show thanks and respect for others as well as allowing our athletes to grow closer with one another."
Players Mentioned
/ Rowing
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