1 - University of Kentucky Athletics

Aprivilege at a major university is to be a student-athlete.
Among the benefits that student-athletes
enjoy are significant learning
experiences that teach important life lessons.
None is more important than learning to return
that benefit to individuals in the community that
have supported and cheered the student-athlete,
win or lose.
The University of Kentucky has a community
outreach program that, when initiated more than
15 years ago, was intended to provide support for
young people. The program was viewed as a “oneway”
effort with the student-athlete giving and the
community and schools receiving. But as the
“Cats That Care” program has grown, one of the
most notable results is what the student-athletes
learn about themselves — they really do receive
by giving.
The athletics department’s community outreach
program began in 1990 when, in cooperation
with the College of Education, UK
student-athletes “adopted” the fifth-grade class at
a local school. The program matched UK studentathletes
one-on-one with school children, who in
turn, set goals while the student-athletes monitored
their progress and assisted the children in
achieving their stated objectives.
The program was highly successful and
continues today. “Cats That Care” has expanded
and now includes many worthwhile projects,
including:
UK’s Outreach Program
C A T S T H A T C A R E — T A K I N G T I M E T O M A K E A D I F F E R E N C E
Celebrity Hospital Visitor
Student-athletes visit patients at local hospitals,
including rehabilitation facilities and veterans
hospitals.
Cats Cultivating Character
Student-athletes teach character lessons once a
month to third grade students at a local elementary
school.
Mentoring
Student-athletes serve as role models for many
elementary and middle school students. As a mentor,
they help younger students develop self
esteem and promote academic success through
weekly interaction.
Hospital Breakfast with Santa
Each year, UK student-athletes assist the UK
Children’s Hospital with a special Christmas
breakfast for children at the hospital.
Jamal Mashburn Scholarship
Program
UK student-athletes serve as mentors for high
school students participating in the program. It
provides scholarships for students who complete
the program.
Kentucky Children’s Hospital
Student-athletes volunteer at least once a
month to play games and visit with the patients.
School Speaker
Student-athletes visit a number of local
schools, speaking to children on a variety of topics,
including the importance of an education,
staying off drugs and promoting reading.
Boys and Girls Club
Student-athletes mentor and interact with
children and young adults on a weekly basis.
Senior Eleia Roddy and junior Jenn’e Jackson (back
row) participated in the Athletes in Action Urban Project
Sports Camp over the summer. The camp was created
to benefit at-risk youth in the Lexington community.
They also volunteer for various holiday activities,
such as the “Mountain of Love.”
Food Drive
Student-athletes organize a food drive that
benefits God’s Pantry.
Ronald McDonald House
Student-athletes volunteer to bake dessert
items for the families staying here who have a
child in the hospital. They also help clean up the
ground and take time to clean the inside of the
House as well.
Hope Center
Serving the Lexington-Fayette County area,
the Hope Center is a shelter for men. Student-
Athletes volunteer at least once a month to serve
lunch and/or dinner to those currently staying at
the center.
Salvation Army
During the holiday season, student-athletes
volunteer their time ringing bells for the “Red Kettle
Campaign” to help raise money. Students also
purchase small gifts to stuff in Christmas stockings
to be distributed to local families in need.
Senior Eleia Roddy (front) poses with a group of children
and fellow counselors during a mission trip to
Spain with Athletes in Action last summer.
“It’s a good feeling to make a difference in a
child’s life and to see their faces when we do
something as simple as sign an autograph.
Serving the community also gIves our team a
chance to bond and at the same time we are
able to help others.”
— UK senior guard Samantha Mahoney
2007 Outreach Representative for UK Hoops
25 • 2007-08 Women’s Basketball