UConn Student-Athletes Play Hosts To Big Brothers And Big Sisters

Members of the Nutmeg Big Brothers and Big Sisters program from around the state of Connecticut were the guests of UConn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee on the Storrs campus on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. Approximately 35 members of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters took part in the event while over 70 Husky student-athletes served as hosts, including members of the baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and football teams. Two student-athletes were paired up with each child for a memorable day at UConn.

Above: Brian Kersmanc and Rhema Fuller spend time with Little Brothers Jason M. and Jermaine T.

The morning began with a visit to the Husky statue outside of Gampel Pavilion and Jonathan the Husky also made an appearance. After an introduction to the day at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, morning activities included playing waffle ball in the Hugh S. Greer Field House, salsa dancing lessons from UConn student-athletes and a visit to a UConn women’s basketball practice.

Following lunch at a UConn dining hall, activities included a visit to the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum, art time at the UConn School of Fine Arts, a physics experiment at the Department of Physics, a tour of the UConn green houses and a tour of the student television facility.

Left: Amanda G. enjoys a salsa dancing lesson.

Children also attended the UConn vs. Rutgers men’s and women’s swimming and diving meet.

Ongoing activities during the day included visits to the UConn Co-op, the UConn Dairy Bar, the William Benton Museum of Art and the Homer Babbidge Library.

Left: Lauren Duffy and Kim McGinty of the women's lacrosse team served as student hosts to Aeja S.

It was an enjoyable day for all the Big Brothers and Big Sisters and was very rewarding for the UConn student-athletes. Among the messages and notes received after the event were the following:

"Mom, today was the best day of my life." I had never heard Parker say that before, granted he is only nine but I was so happy for him.  The UConn student-athletes sounded like great people and my son was soaking it up.  He would love to see them again. He knew what a treat it was to tour the campus, play football (he can throw better now he says) wrestle in the grass, eat lunch with the big guys and see the real BIG guys. He received so many gifts on Saturday from UConn and the people up there. He was grateful to share that with you and best of all, he was happy being just himself. – from Sandi, mother of Parker.

Above: Jonathan L. and Angel D. visit the UCTV studio.

“I just wanted to let you know that my son Jonathan and I had a wonderful time on Saturday up at UConn.  He got into my car - completely exhausted, by the way - looked at me and said ‘I had a great time.’ From him, that's really huge, so I wanted to thank you and everyone that helped coordinate that event for putting on such a fabulous day!” – from Allison S., mother of Jonathan.

“My Little Brother Tahari G. and I want to thank you and UConn for the great day. It was really good for him to interact directly with the student-athletes. Our tour guides were friendly with us and made the day very special.” – from Etienne O., Big Brother of Tahari G.

Left photo: Charde Houston and Nicole Wolff from the women's basketball team share some time with Erin S.

Photos by Sarah Cain