ITHACA, N.Y. – Despite the cancellation of the 2020 soccer season, members of the Ithaca College women's soccer team found a way to stay active and give back to the community, as they volunteered with the Ithaca Youth Bureau for nearly six weeks teaching and assisting young students (pre-k to sixth grade) at Cass Park for a fall soccer program.
 
"Despite not being able to play this fall, we are taking this as an opportunity to engage with the community and assist a great local organization," said head coach Mindy Quigg. "We thought it was a win-win for all involved, and since our training is remote this fall, it gave us the perfect opportunity to make the most out of the situation." 
 
The camp began on September 15 and was broken down into three different sessions each week. The camp will conclude at the end of October. Current and former IC players, 10 in total, who are in the Ithaca area this semester has been volunteering their time with IYB over the past six weeks. Senior Kate Kohler, junior Molly MacFarland, fifth-year Devon Morris and junior Megan O'Reilly were four of the student-athletes who spent time with IYB this fall.
 
Each of the four players has been tasked with different age groups and timeslots during this volunteer effort.
 
Kohler has been working with around 10 kids between fifth and sixth grade, Morris has overseen 12 kids in fourth and fifth grade (with one third grader), MacFarland works with about ten kids in the pre-k age group on Sundays, and during the week, about 10 second and third graders, while O'Reilly has spent time with about 15 second and third graders on Tuesdays, and on Thursdays, with about 10 pre-k players. 
 
"The IC women's soccer team has been helping us run our Ithaca Rotary Soccer Program since our opening night on September 15th, 2020," said IYB Recreation Program Coordinator Gordon Begent. "When I realized the IC athletic teams would not be having a season, I reached out to both the men's and women's head coaches and was able to connect with Coach Quigg and offer a volunteer service for her team. As a former IC student it was great to see the college assist in community programming that helps our young kids."
 
Sessions have been broken down three days a week – Tuesday night (5:30-7:30 p.m.), Thursday night (6-7 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (1-3:15 p.m.) – at Cass Park on the south end of Cayuga Lake. IC's student-athletes work with the IYB head coaches to provide a helping hand and to also assist kids 1-on-1.
 
"The women bring a positive energy to the practices and the young kids love having the college kids around. The college kids also have tons of fun drills the kid love trying out," stated Begent.
 
COVID-19 restrictions forced a change in the normal program format, with the elimination of games, but IYB and IC women's soccer have made the most out of this opportunity.
 
"The IYB is extremely grateful for the volunteers from the IC women's soccer team," expressed Begent. "The women have been a huge help to our less-experienced coaches and you can see them running drills, answering questions, and being a supporter. I go to a lot of the practices down at Cass Park and the enjoyment the women have brought to the program is huge. I can't tell you enough how many emails and texts I have gotten saying how wonderful it is what the Bombers soccer team has done for our young ones in the community. I think the experience the women have brought to our league has been extremely valuable. I see coaches trying to do drills and games they never would have if they hadn't learned them this season - it's amazing."
 
"When we were setting up the league I knew it would be difficult with COVID restrictions. After putting all of the health and safety procedures into place I reached out to Coach Quigg with the opportunity to help knowing they wouldn't be having their normal season. Coach Quigg has provided me with a large majority of her team throughout our six-week season and we wouldn't have had its success without her help and all the girls who give up their own time each week," Begent continued.
 
"Although we understand IC will most likely have a season next year we would definitely be interested in partnering together again. I think having the girls run a clinic prior to the season each year would allow coaches to see drills and ways to run practice to make them fun and educational. I have so many emails and calls from parents and coaches thanking us for getting IC involved. I think the girls have done more for these kids then they actually realize - it's amazing," concluded Begent.
 
What the Bombers had to say about their experience:
 
Kate Kohler '21
 
"I have been acting as a volunteer recreational coach in tandem with other volunteer coaches. I try to bring education and structure in the first half hour with drills and focus on skill set. The next half hour is spent playing competitive games that highlight the skills we just worked on."
 
"I think the most enjoyable experience has been getting back to the soccer field. Just to experience others' passion for game, even if they're young children just having fun, it's exciting to watch. I love working with kids and it is so important to instill passion and excitement for the game at a young age as they are the future of the sport we love. I think it's nice to see kids connecting again, even when it's a water break and they're realizing, 'Oh hey, you're in my zoom class.' It's a good way to give kids a break outside their zoom classrooms / outside their house and to get them engaging in sport and athletics again."
 
Molly MacFarland '22
 
"Myself, along with a bunch of IC women's soccer, were notified about this opportunity to help out for the IYB youth soccer programs back in September and immediately jumped at the opportunity. My experience volunteering here has been incredible, as it's been so fun and rewarding. Every time I help out coaching at one of the sessions, it takes me back to my roots learning to play soccer at that age. I remember falling in love with the game even back then, I think mainly because parents would bring orange slices to the practices and games. Jokes aside though, as I kept playing, I realized that the camaraderie, discipline, life lessons, and memories that not only soccer, but sports in general bring is truly unmatched. I hope that I've been able to pass on my love for the game with some of these kids throughout this fall."
 
"The best part of this whole experience in my eyes has been knowing that I've made a positive impact on these kids. Whether it's making someone laugh or smile during a drill, teaching someone a new foot skill, or cheering on someone after they've scored a goal, knowing that this experience has been a positive factor in these kids' lives has been the best part of it all. Especially during these times when there is so much uncertainty and change, knowing I can help make someone happy is awesome and definitely goes a long way now. In addition, remote learning has definitely posed its respective challenges for students everywhere, so I speak for myself and my teammates when I say this has been the best stress reliever too, as when we coach these kids, we can forget about everything on our plates and live in the moment while projecting our love for soccer onto these young players."
 
Devon Morris '20

"I've been assisting two volunteer coaches who work with a cluster of co-ed fourth and fifth graders. I usually do skill demonstrations and help guide the players through drills. On my first day, I quickly learned all the kid's names so that I could cheer them on and highlight their individual effort when they scrimmaged. They love my high energy when they do something well!"

"The most enjoyable experience for me has been the opportunity to connect with the kids. One practice, the head coach gathered all the kids around the goal for a group picture. After a few takes, one of the girls asked, 'can Coach Devon be in the picture?' I was so flattered! That's when I knew I was positively influencing these kid's lives."

Megan O'Reilly '22

"My role at IYB is to be a role model for the kids and help the coaches when they needed me. It was so fun to go play with them for an hour or so twice a week and give back to the Ithaca community."

"I love working with the kids and teaching them about the game I love. I can't think of a better way to spend 1-2 hours! Running around with them and teaching them about soccer is soo much fun for me."