Community Service Statement
As we enter the new millennium, one of the challenges we continue to face is helping our children understand the importance of education and helping them realize that lofty goals are attainable. With an increasing number of collegiate athletes dropping out of school early to pursue lucrative contracts in the professional arena, we are left with the question "who are our children's role models?"

At the United States Naval Academy, the Midshipmen have to balance the rigorous requirements of education, athletics and basic military training. With Navy athletes competing at the Division I level, the demands of their sports heighten the importance of maintaining solid grades. Navy is one of the few Division I schools in which all athletes must meet stringent academic expectations. This is what makes our Midshipmen such tremendous role models, successfully maintaining that balance between athletics and academics at a highly competitive level.

The men and women of the United States Naval Academy have committed themselves to the service of our nation. During their four years in Annapolis, the Midshipmen demonstrate their willingness to give by taking part in several community service events.

From outreach opportunities such as autograph sessions following athletic events, to working with underprivileged youths, the student-athletes at Navy give back to the area they call home during their college years.

The Naval Academy Athletic Association works with local schools to expose youth to the Midshipmen, with the hope of providing a lasting impression. Typically, in assembly style, the Midshipmen speak to the students about life at the Academy, the experiences of competing in Division I athletics and what they've learned while at Navy, in addition to answering the multitude of questions that the students have.

If you are interested in this program, please call Sports Information Director Scott Strasemeier at 410-293-8775 for more information.

The following are a few examples of community service opportunities performed by the men and women of Navy athletics during the 2010-11 academic year.

Football
While in San Diego, Calif., prior to the Poinsettia Bowl, several members of the football team attended a Make-A-Wish Foundation event where players and coaches spent time with the kids and their families. The bowl game and Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego benefit from a strong partnership as more than 500 members of "Wish Families", including wish children, their parents and siblings, attended the game as special guests.

Seniors Andre Byrd and Ricky Dobbs took time to speak with students at several area schools. Byrd addressed students at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore where he talked about the obstacles he overcame in his life to become a midshipman and a member of the Navy football team.

As he did throughout his career, Dobbs continued to make several appearances at local schools last year, explaining the importance of doing your best in school and following your dreams.

The team also continued the tradition of inviting ill and special needs children and their families to practices.

Men's & Women's Basketball
Both the men's and women's teams combined to hold free skills clinics for local youths. Assistant coaches and players from both teams provided instruction to over 200 kids from the Annapolis area.

The Navy men's basketball team was out in full force, volunteering for the 2011 Maryland Special Olympics and then providing area youth with a skills clinic. The team has done a number of community-service events in the past, whether it's conducting free camps, volunteering for the Special Olympics or speaking to groups of local youth.

Members of the men's basketball team also volunteered their time at the St. John's Episcopal School's Field Day, playing basketball with many of the youth and setting up drills and contests for the kids.

Women's Lacrosse
Twenty-one members of the women's lacrosse program conducted a lacrosse clinic at the all-girls Excel Academy in Washington, D.C. The Mids taught the children basic lacrosse skills and also organized drills, relay races and informal games.

Women's Soccer
Navy women's soccer players Jessica Grupp, Katie Kelly, Alexes Lopez-Shaw and Ashlynn Soellner volunteered at a youth soccer clinic at the Excel Academy, an all-girls school in Washington, D.C. The Athletes For Hope organization helped coordinate the event, which was for first and second grade girls.

Swimming & Diving
The swimming and diving teams continued their tradition of offering free learn-to-swim lessons to anyone in Lejeune Hall during the spring.

Baseball
The baseball team continued its strong relationship with a local child with a brain tumor through the Friends of Jaclyn Organization. The child has been a fixture at Navy home games for the past two seasons as the team has taken an even more active role in his and his family's lives. The team and coaches routinely spend time with him away from the field, attend movies and support him at his band concerts.

Men's Tennis
The men's tennis team again made its annual visit to the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, which provides an athletic and educational after school outlet for youths in the Jacksonville, Fla., area. The Mids first participated in a question-and-answer session with the youths before hitting the tennis courts for some instruction and competition. As a tradition each time Navy visits, every time a youth defeats a Mid, the Navy player has to immediately do 10 pushups.