University of Chicago student-athletes are involved in a multitude of service projects and service organizations throughout the academic year. The varsity teams consistently set aside time to provide assistance both locally in Hyde Park and in the general Chicagoland area.
Women's Athletic Association and Order of the "C"
The Women's Athletic Association and the Order of the "C" have engaged with local Special Olympics chapters in a multi-year partnership. They host inclusive practices, a unified sports field day, participate in Unified Fitness virtually, and promote a Respect campaign with Special Olympic programs. In the fall of 2020, WAA officially become a Unified Champion School with Special Olympics Illinois. They have partnerships with Southside Occupational Academy, as well as, Ada S. McKinley Vocational Services, el Valor and Misericordia Home.Â
Each winter, WAA sponsors a "Slam Dunk for Special Olympics" fundraising event at the Ratner Athletics Center during a selected University Athletic Association basketball doubleheader. Raffles and 50-50 drawings during the contests help raise thousands of dollars each year. UChicago student-athletes then visit local schools to present checks to their respective Special Olympics teams, which have included Hyde Park Academy and the Ada S. McKinley Vocational Center. The funds are used to purchase uniforms for their various teams, sport-specific shoes, equipment including tennis rackets and basketballs, entry fees and travel funds for their participation in the local and state Special Olympics games. WAA has raised over $60,000 over the past 10 years for local programs.Â
WAA previously was involved with an annual "Hoops for Hyde Park" fundraising raffle. Over a 25-year period, local elementary schools received funds totaling more than $40,000 that went towards new equipment for the schools' physical education departments.Â
The OOC is also consistently involved with community service projects during the academic year. Each winter, the OOC hosts a food and clothing drive which collects donated items for delivery to the St. Columbanus Food Pantry. Annual donations consistently measure between 600 to 1,400 pounds of goods.
The OOC has also volunteered with Lost Boyz tutoring program (a Chicago youth support organization), Ronald McDonald House and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
National Charitable Organizations
Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
The UChicago softball, women's basketball and women's soccer teams have previously adopted a child through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which partners children with brain tumors and local athletic programs. The Maroons have involved themselves positively in the lives of the children in a number of ways, including: visits to the hospital and doctor's appointments; invitations to team practices and games; home visits in the summer; attending concerts and plays; prom dress shopping; outings to pumpkin patches in the fall; and an annual "dorm crawl" to all the players' rooms on campus for activities and crafts, amongst others.Â
Ted Mullin "Hour of Power" Relay for Cancer Research
The "Hour of Power" is a nation-wide relay done by hundreds of swimming programs at evey level (high school, club, collegiate, masters) nationwide to raise awareness and funding for sarcoma cancer research. Proceeds are directed to the Ted Mullin Fund, which supports research at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital into the causes and treatment of sarcoma and other rare pediatric cancers. The men's and women's swimming & diving teams participate annually on the first Tuesday of every November from 4-5 PM (central time) and have raised thousands of dollars since 2006.
2019 ARTICLE:Â https://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/mswimdive/2019-20/releases/20191111yko2i9.Â
GO4THEGOAL
The UChicago football team teams up annually with the Go4theGoal Foundation to raise funds and awareness for kids with cancer at UChicago's Comer Children's Hospital. Go4TheGoal seeks improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, funding innovative research, and granting personal wishes. Since 2015, UChicago football wears gold laces during one scheduled game during September (Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month) and raising funds with an online fundraising page, with all proceeds donated to Comer Children's Hospital.
COACH TO CURE MD - TACKLE DUCHENNE
UChicago football takes part in the Coach to Cure MD event on an annual basis. The American Football Coaches Association and Parent Project MD organization partner to raise funds and awareness for children with Duchenne, which is a form of muscular dystrophy that effect young children. There is a scheduled weekend each fall that coaches across the country wear Coach For The Cure patches. Additionally, UChicago football has hosted two families during those weekends over the last couple of years to be honored during the pre-game coin toss.
2020 ARTICLE:Â https://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/fball/2020-21/releases/20200924m9yi2z
Local Schools
Midway Classic
For the past several years, in conjunction with the Midway Classic, the UChicago men’s basketball team has visited approximately 10 Chicago Public Schools and visited with middle school students. During these visits, the players discussed life as college athletes, what it took to prepare for that when they were younger, and how to balance academic and athletic priorities. In addition, the players read from various books to students and discussed the value of literacy.
The students from these schools were brought to campus for the annual Midway Classic basketball tournament. During these trips, the students were given a tour of campus, lunch in the dining halls, and admission to games. Following up on this outreach, the team has hosted a handful of youth clinics for schools that have expressed an interest.
Additionally, UChicago men's basketball has maintained a routine of monthly mentorship work at Disney Elementary throughout each year.
2020 FEATURE STORY:Â https://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20200728i3ph1z
Throughout the month of October 2019, UChicago women's basketball went to local elementary and middle schools for one-hour visits. This happened on 10-15 occasions with four players at each one. On the visits, the Maroons read to the students, played games, and chatted in small groups.
UChicago Lab School
UChicago men's soccer has a partnership with the UChicago Lab School soccer program. The Maroons run a few sessions in the fall and host the team’s coaches at a number of UChicago's training sessions.
General Service
Community Swim School
The Community Swim School offers quarterly sessions for children and adults to improve their skill and comfort in the water. All skill levels are welcome, from beginner through advanced. Hosted in the Myers-McLoraine Pool.
Website:Â http://www.uchicagoswimmingcamps.com/content/community-swim-school
Twin Hearts Autism Foundation
UChicago baseball hosts an annual Autism Awareness Day each spring during a home doubleheader. Before and during the game, the Maroons honor and celebrate children with autism and their families in attendance and raise awareness about the developmental disability. They also sell Maroons hats, with all proceeds going directly to Twin Hearts Autism Foundation. The foundation's mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with autism and other special needs by raising funds for individuals, organizations, schools, scholarships and family events related to autism and special needs communities.
Kelly Renee Brodnik Foundation
UChicago women's basketball hosted a "Pediatric Cancer Awareness" event during its Feb. 16, 2020 home game versus Case Western Reserve University. The Maroons promoted awareness and helping $1,000 for children diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Kelly Brodnik – the sister of current UChicago basketball player Mallory Brodnik – passed away from pediatric osteosarcoma in 2018. The foundation seeks to help families afford the drugs necessary for patient comfort while going through cancer treatments.
2020 ARTICLE:Â https://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/20200206j81315
Cycle for Survival
UChicago men's soccer annually attends Cycle for Survival - a charitable event in which participating teams raise money for rare cancers and participate in an indoor cycling event downtown.
Softball Team
Individual UChicago softball team members participate in the following service opportunities: Tutors for Friends of Washington Park, volunteer fundraising for CASA of Cook County, volunteer for Princeton Eye Clinic and UChicago Hospital, volunteer for UChicago Blood Initiative, and many other local efforts at home during the pandemic to include Second Harvest Food Bank, Back Bay Science Center, Pasadena Great Plates, camp counseling including volunteer virtual sessions for Super Summer Sports Camp, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
Winter 2020
In the winter of 2020, UChicago women's basketball wrote holiday letters at a local nursing home to bring them holiday cheer. They also participated in the Angel Tree program with the local Salvation Army to provide gifts to local children in need.
UChicago men's soccer prepped meals at Ronald McDonald House every other Monday in early 2020 until COVID temporarily froze the program.
