Teaming Up to Make a Difference – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
April 12, 2016
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State and Wheeling Jesuit women’s volleyball programs have clashed on the court several times over the last few Spring seasons, but the 2016 meeting was something bigger. Last Spring, the two coaching staffs connected and brainstormed ideas for a way to make the ’16 collaboration impactful for the student-athletes and surrounding community, not simply volleyball.
Fast forward to April 2016 and the Buckeyes traveled to West Virginia for a day packed with community service capped by a match with the reigning Division II NCAA National Champions. Helping children and young adults was the main service focus, getting involved with three different organizations:
Children’s Home of Wheeling
“The kids put smiles on our faces, we put smiles on their faces. So, it was a good day,” Taylor Hughes said about her time at Children’s Home of Wheeling.
Samaritan House
“We helped them with gardening, planting flowers and tomatoes with the kids,” Kalisha Goree said. “The children also played volleyball and basketball with us. It was a lot of fun and I’m very happy we were able to do this.”
St. John’s Home for Children
“We helped raking leaves and painting a room while at the St. John’s Home for Children,” Audra Appold said. “But more importantly was getting to know the kids. Forming bonds and relationships with them was very special to me.”
“Many of the children we got to know while there have been through things that 8-to-14 year olds should never have to go through,” Geoff Carlston, Ohio State head coach, said. “We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with the kids and help each organization in any way we could.”
One unique aspect of the initiative was the molding of the Buckeyes and Cardinals. Rather than giving back separately, coaches and players from both programs were intertwined and split into three groups each heading to a different organization. Extending the mission of experiencing more than just volleyball, teaming up with each other to make a difference.
“Coming together with another team, putting aside our differences to make a difference in someone’s life is important. It’s all about thinking of yourself less and more about the other people out there,” Goree said.
“I sincerely appreciate opportunities like these and am grateful being a student-athlete at Ohio State allows me the chance to do so,” Hughes said. “It’s eye-opening and really pushes me to want to continue to give back.”
“It was a humbling experience and gives you perspective,” Appold said. “Seeing outside our bubble and being able to help others in need is really cool.”
