Campus Recreation Updates

SRC and Campus Recreation makes a difference tutoring at K.I.P.P.

Over the course of the past year students from the Student Recreational Committee and Campus Recreation decided to step up and make a difference in the community. More important, they wanted to make a lasting impact not just a one day volunteering event.

After hours of deliberating they decided to implement a tutoring program. Through various contacts they were able to build a relationship with K.I.P.P. West Philadelphia. On a weekly basis 6 students traveled to 60th and Baltimore to tutor inner city 5th graders. This program was such a huge success that they have decided to make this program an annual community service project.

Below are a few testimonials from students who participated in this very special program.

"The children at KIPP are from low income families and they have not had an easy childhood, so I think this experience is beneficial to both the children and me. What I like most from this experience is how eager the children are to learn and how happy they are to be at this school. When I was their age, this was defiantly not the case. This has showed me to appreciate everything you have because there are people that are not as fortunate. This experience is also teaching me responsibility for another person. Some of the children do not have a steady mentor in their lives and being able to dedicate a few hours a week constantly goes a long way." Mayur Daftari - 4th Year

"I decided to tutor at KIPP because I have been looking for a volunteering opportunity that I feel strongly enough about that will keep me motivated enough to go every week. I enjoy working with children and think that every kid has the ability to rise to their fullest capability if they have the opportunity and motivation to do so with positive people in their lives to help them get there. KIPP is an excellent program that is really helping to mold these kid's future in a very positive way. These kids at KIPP are so motivated and are so enthusiastic to learn that going there every week is very enlightening and refreshing to see. I absolutely love going to KIPP every week and the experience is definitely worthwhile. It is very rewarding to tutor these kids and how they look forward to our visits weekly. I am learning from a lot from this experience." Riddhi Patel - 6th Yr

"Ever since starting the Student Recreational Committee at USP, raising money for charity has always been a goal of ours. When Marc mentioned that KIPP is a school that gives kids a chance to receive a good education, I figured they were the perfect fit to receive these donations. When given the opportunity to actually have some face to face time with these kids, I was ecstatic. It is important that as a child is growing up, that he or she is surrounded by positive things that can aid to the development of a hard working, honest adult. I have always wanted to be part of a Big Brother program, so this seemed right up the same alley. So far, the experience has exceeded expectations. I honestly feel that coming once a week has already made an impact on my student’s life. The importance of these tutoring visits doesn’t come from teaching the students how to multiply or spell certain words the right way. The importance comes from helping them develop their learning skills and to teach them the real meaning behind working hard. The KIPP program is a great opportunity for these students, whether they fully understand that or not" Jack Korbutov - 6th Yr

Club Soccer vs. Penn

"A Promising Future" by Shane Chanpimol, Team Manager, Captain, 2nd Year DPT Student

 "A Promising Future" by Shane Chanpimol, Team Manager, Captain, 2^nd Year DPT Student

 

The USP Club Soccer team started its career with a challenging first season. However, even in the face of adverse obstacles and a rough losing streak the players, coaches, and supporters are extremely eager to start the Fall 2010 season.

 

Without a legitimate field and regulation sized goals practices were limited to the recreational gym within the ARC and the confined space of the quad. In addition, the rigorous academic lives of the players sometimes made attending games that were hours away simply impossible. Nevertheless, through shear talent and vigor the team was able to create a strong competition on the field. All of the games were fought hard and many players, myself included, felt that most of the games should have been won.

 

Even though the team did not get the best results the season was a huge success. This was the first year of club sports at the University of the Sciences and we hope this is the first of many strides toward a greater athletic and academic University.

   

Finally, I would like to make a few special thanks. I would like to thank Michael D’uva for taking the initiative to bring this team from the ground up. I would also like to thank Marc Caserio, Jesse Phillips, and the Department of Campus Recreation for allowing us to use their gyms to practice and the ARC as a team management and coaching headquarters. Finally, I would like to thank William Cunningham and Walt Perry, the Dean and Associate Dean of Students, as well as the Student Government Association, Student Recreational Committee, and the fans for their support and for making this all possible.

“A Dream Come True” by Nicole Payette, 2nd Yr Pharm D

“A Dream Come True” by Nicole Payette, 2^nd Yr Pharm D  

 

This year, my dream of playing field hockey after I graduated high school came true. In high school I was extremely involved as a 3 sport varsity athlete and feared coming to college, especially the University of the Sciences, because I knew that they offered none of the sports I excelled at. Furthermore The Department of Campus Recreation did not offer any intramural sports that accommodated my interests or any club sports that almost every college or university offers to its students.  Upon joining the Student Recreational Committee (SRC) my freshman year, I learned with interest and fundraising that that I would be able to start playing field hockey again. I joined up with a fellow field hockey enthusiast and we began recruiting girls and held interest meetings.  We also learned through Jesse Phillips, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation we could join a legitimate national league, The National Field Hockey League (NFHL).  The NFHL allowed us to gain contacts of club field hockey teams throughout the tri-state area. With the support of the SRC, Marc Caserio (Director of Campus Recreation), and Jesse Philips, I was able to accomplish many things this past year.

 

    We had a terrific inaugural year, playing 1 game in the fall and 1 in the spring. We traveled to Drexel, Temple, and had a two game tournament scheduled at Rider with Temple, which was not played because of rain delays, and they were unable to reschedule. We held practices weekly at the field on 42^nd and Regent, which the Facilities Department worked with us to maintain and prepare. We also were able to purchase goalie equipment and a makeshift net we assembled each practice. The ladies enjoyed every minute of playing their sport again. Although we didn’t win both games, we did improve.

   

This past year has been amazing. The women and I were able to once again enjoy the sport we invested so much time in throughout our lives.  We look forward to a more organized season next fall with more games scheduled and an increased participation. We have learned so much from other teams in the NFHL and the NFHL has provided us with all the resources necessary to excel. We still have much to do, and not having any legitimate field facilities makes us depend on others for game scheduling. However, for now these are things we are willing to do without because we really are happy as long as we can play! 

A Game of Missed Opportunities – USci falls to St. Joe’s 1-0

You couldn’t ask for a better day to play soccer!  The sun was bright and there was a slight breeze through the air.  However the outcome of the game wasn’t as nice as the weather.  Even though the University of the Sciences Soccer Club lost to St. Joe’s 1-0 they shouldn’t hang their heads in defeat.  Still lacking the chemistry needed to be a more efficient team they played with a lot of heart and refused to give up until the final blow of the whistle; they actually outplayed and dominated St. Joe’s for the majority of the game but failed to capitalize on scoring chances.  Unfortunately, St. Joe’s was able to and in the 75^th minute St. Joe’s scored the winning goal off of a deflection by one of our own players.