Cuse TV: Men's Basketball Visits Some Special Fans
3/27/2015 11:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Giving back and serving the community are highly-valued principles for Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse University men's basketball program. An example of that this week was when the Orange players, coaches and staff visited the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse.
The team got to meet amazing children, parents and hospital staff, and hear their stories and challenges.
"It really helps us and our players more than it helps these kids, just to see them smile," Coach Boeheim said. "For over 30 years, we've been coming to Upstate. You see some of them later when they become adults and they're doing good. That's a great thing and it's great to be just a small part of it.
After dealing with a basketball season of ups and downs and being in the middle of the spring semester of classes, the visit helped provide the Orange student-athletes some perspective.
"They are strong kids," Trevor Cooney said. "It really puts it in perspective. We might think we're struggling or a hard practice or a game, but what these kids go through day in and day out makes what we do a piece of cake, really."
As the team talked, played games and signed autographs for the children, it was apparent that it was an enjoyable and enriching experience for both sides.
"It feels good when you can come out and brighten somebody's day," Kaleb Joseph said. "Especially these kids, which are probably the most deserving of it."
While activities like this are fun for the team and a good change of pace from daily workouts, it is also part of the bigger picture of educational goals for program.
"It's important for our guys to see this," assistant coach Gerry McNamara said. "It's important for us to come here and give back to so many great people that have meant so much to our success. To come here and see what the struggles are on a daily basis for some families is heart-breaking in reality, and for us to come back and bring a little sunshine and hopefully a little bit of joy to their day is something very small on a bigger scale.
The team got to meet amazing children, parents and hospital staff, and hear their stories and challenges.
"It really helps us and our players more than it helps these kids, just to see them smile," Coach Boeheim said. "For over 30 years, we've been coming to Upstate. You see some of them later when they become adults and they're doing good. That's a great thing and it's great to be just a small part of it.
After dealing with a basketball season of ups and downs and being in the middle of the spring semester of classes, the visit helped provide the Orange student-athletes some perspective.
"They are strong kids," Trevor Cooney said. "It really puts it in perspective. We might think we're struggling or a hard practice or a game, but what these kids go through day in and day out makes what we do a piece of cake, really."
As the team talked, played games and signed autographs for the children, it was apparent that it was an enjoyable and enriching experience for both sides.
"It feels good when you can come out and brighten somebody's day," Kaleb Joseph said. "Especially these kids, which are probably the most deserving of it."
While activities like this are fun for the team and a good change of pace from daily workouts, it is also part of the bigger picture of educational goals for program.
"It's important for our guys to see this," assistant coach Gerry McNamara said. "It's important for us to come here and give back to so many great people that have meant so much to our success. To come here and see what the struggles are on a daily basis for some families is heart-breaking in reality, and for us to come back and bring a little sunshine and hopefully a little bit of joy to their day is something very small on a bigger scale.
Players Mentioned
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