Lehigh women’s basketball visits local elementary schools
Home >
Women's Basketball
Posted: 01/04/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women’s basketball team visited two local elementary schools over the past two days as the Mountain Hawks continue their efforts to reach out to the community. Lehigh visited Asa Packer Elementary School on Tuesday followed by Farmersville Elementary on Wednesday. At each visit, Lehigh stressed the importance of being a team and what it takes to be successfull on and off the court.
"I think in our program one of the things that we really emphasize is being a complete person," said head coach Sue Troyan. "Beyond basketball, we want our players to be great people, to do well academically and be involved in the community. An opportunity like this allows our kids to be involved and serve as role models. It reinforces what the teachers are telling the kids but hearing it from a different, younger source is helpful too."
At each visit, the Lehigh players introduced themselves to the large group of students in attendance. Troyan and each player spoke about the importance of being a good teammate on the court, in the classroom and at home. They explained that a coach can come in different forms – a teacher or a parent – and it’s important to listen to them.
In between the student-athletes speaking, Troyan tested the kids to make sure they were paying attention. With each correct answer, she handed out a Lehigh water bottle. Then there was a small shooting competition and a game of knockout that mixed kids with teachers. Prizes were handed out and the kids were split in two sections with cheers of "Lehigh Basketball."
"We are all so lucky to play basketball at Lehigh, it’s good to give back and be role models for the kids in the community," said senior Alexa Williams. "I remember thinking back as a little kid that I looked up to sports teams so it’s good for them to hear important lessons from someone other than their teachers."
Senior Emily Gratch echoed those same sentiments.
"It’s a privilege to be here at Lehigh and play basketball so it’s important to give back and reach out to the community," she said. "It’s about doing little things. It’s great for the kids to hear from role models other than their teachers and parents."
The Lehigh women’s basketball team will return to the court Saturday at 2 p.m. to host Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener.