BASEBALL
For 3 months, Sept thru November. Our team partnered with Ladson Elementary school to initiate “Big Bucs, Little Bucs. A reading and mentoring program every Monday for the 3 months listed above. We had on the average of 8-10 of our baseball players involved and it was administered by myself and our Graduate Assistant who oversaw baseball operations. In the spring during our season on March 27
th, The baseball team packed boxes of Canned goods and other items needed for Care Packages. This was done at the local food bank and was to assist homeless people in and around the low country. In the spring, at the end of Final Exam week on May 5th Six of our players attended a “ meet and greet” with Flight Adventure at their facility with over a hundred kids. This is part of a corporate sponsorship with the Athletic Dept and we were asked to interreact and play games with the kids at the event for 2-3 hours. One coach attended and about 6 -8 student athletes.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team Reading – Joseph R. Fye Elementary School
The CSU men’s basketball program visited Joseph R. Fye Elementary to read books with students and engage in multiple classroom activities.
Field Day – Joseph R. Fye Elementary School
CSU men’s basketball players and coaches helped operate Field Day activities, assisting with stations and encouraging student participation.
Big Buc–Little Buc Mentorship Program – Ladson Elementary School
Five members of the CSU men’s basketball team participated in a 6-week mentorship program at Ladson Elementary. They helped younger students with homework and joined them for lunch. The program was supervised by Ladson Elementary staff and Assistant Coach Michael Ervin.
Summer Serve Day – Landmark Community
CSU men’s basketball players and coaches partnered with Landmark Community to help restore and clean an outdoor basketball court for local youth use.
Flight Adventure Park – Slam Dunk Contest Judging
Several CSU men’s basketball players volunteered to serve as judges for a kids’ slam dunk contest held at Flight Adventure Park, encouraging participation and celebrating youth involvement in basketball.
FOOTBALL
Some of our players went to various local elementary schools in the area such as College Park Elementary, Hanahan Elementary, Westview Elementary, R.B. Stall High School and The Bridge Charleston. The players volunteered in activities such as working the carline which allowed them to interact and connect with the students. The players also joined students during their lunch time spending time talking to them as a mentor as well as talking about football and what it is like to be involved in college athletics. The players took time participating during the student’s recess time, further encouraging participation and involvement in staying active with them to look at as examples.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
During the summer of 2024 the players and coaches participated in the Seacoast Church Kids Camp. The players and coaches participated in assisting with various camp activities keeping the kids engaged, involved, and playing mentor roles throughout the camp. Later in the year, they participated in the Debbie Antonelli Basketball Camp. Everyone involved encouraged participation throughout the camp, engaging in various basketball activities, assisting with drills and games taking place keeping everyone involved and expanding youth involvement in basketball.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Our players have volunteered with a local soccer club assisting with younger players development and skills this past year. They were involved in some activities such as assisting with drills, talking to the players, engaging in and participating in some games or drills. Our student athletes motivated the younger players to show how important youth involvement in sports is. This opportunity allowed the program the opportunity to connect with youth sports in soccer and give knowledge and advice for the younger generation of athletes in the community. Additionally, they have been active participants in book readings at a local elementary schools, reading books to students keeping them engaged and involved in classroom activities.
SOFTBALL
This fall our student athletes and coaches participated in the Charleston Miracle League Games, an all day event that allowed us to play a big role in the event. Our players and staff joined the miracle league players in assisting them with any needs during the games, being engaged towards everyone and keeping everyone involved and active throughout the day. In this, we were not only able to help the players, but the families of them as well as the staff in Charleston Miracle League by doing anything that was asked of us.
VOLLEYBALL
CSU women’s volleyball players and coaches were involved in a nine-week card encouragement summer series where multiple weekly cards were sent to people in need of a note of encouragement. Every summer that this has been done, the recipients of the cards are incredibly grateful and appreciative. During the 2024 school year the team went to College Park Elementary School to read books and engage in activities with young students. Our student athletes helped and were tasked with assisting various reading groups as well as encouraging student engagement during several classroom activities. In 2023, the team also attended a local nursing home to play bingo with the residents as well as doing their nails.
