Oakland Student-Athletes Take Time for Service

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Throughout the year, Oakland's student-athletes realize how important it is to seek opportunities to make a difference in the community whenever possible. Though they all have busy schedules, the Golden Grizzlies make time for those in the surrounding communities, lending a hand in various ways. March provided many opportunities for teams to serve with March Reading Month among other outreach chances.

The volleyball team read to elementary kids for March Reading Month March 17-21. The team partnered with the Avondale School District and was able to read to second and third grade classes, sharing stories of books by Michigan native authors as well as stories about volleyball at the college level.

The Oakland men's soccer team volunteered with the Older Person Commission on March 30. The men made a difference by delivering meals to home-bound senior citizens with their Meals on Wheels program. Cumulatively, the team delivered to 10 different routes, serving about 60 older people.

Men's basketball served the community numerous times in the recent months. On March 26, the team visited Auburn Elementary in Auburn Hills for Literacy Night. The team was accompanied by members of the men's swim team and women's golf team as well and read pirate-themed books to the Auburn students for the school's celebration of March Reading Month.

On April 2, men's basketball visited Hamlin Elementary in Rochester Hills and read with students from all three of Hamlin's third grade classrooms, as well as answered questions related to the importance of being a good student. April 8 provided another service opportunity as the team visited Michigan Technical Academy (MTA) in Redford and read with the fifth graders while also answering questions about college and the importance of education. The team also played games with the MTA students in the gym.

(Release courtesy of Oakland media relations)