The sixth-graders at Bancroft Elementary School had a soccer game the next day, and they wanted advice from an expert. Byron Dacy, a senior on Creighton’s men’s soccer team, was happy to give it to them.
Dacy was visiting the school for the Missouri Valley Conference’s Just Read program. He was there to read to the children and to talk about the importance of staying in school.
“We shared the common interest of soccer,” Dacy said. “Sometimes the kids can be kind of shy, but these kids were really excited about the stories I read them and asked a lot of questions.”
Nineteen Creighton athletes visited 17 classrooms at the elementary school on Sept. 14 as part of the Community Service Initiative branch of the Operation Bluejay program, which aims to give back to the community.
Brent Hogan, assistant director of marketing, sales and events for Creighton athletics, said the students who visit the schools “encourage kids to read and tell them what it takes to be a student athlete–the dedication and commitment. Education is the most important thing, though, because student comes before athlete.”
Every student athlete at Creighton is required to complete 15 hours of community service a year, but some do many more. Creighton is partners with the Siena/Francis House, but athletes also volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Teammates and other non-profit organizations, participate in charity walks or do other kinds of service work.
The women’s basketball team has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and senior Megan Neuvirth has gone above and beyond the requirements on her own time. She mentors a sixth-grader every week through Teammates.
“I’ve been with her for three years, so we’ve gained a trust,” Neuvirth said. “I helped her through some life issues. A lot of times, we work from a distance or only for a couple hours, so I like how it’s more personal.”
For some, volunteering becomes an integral part of their lives as a student-athlete. Shelby Takeshita, a senior on the crew team, has logged the most service hours of all the female athletes for two years in a row. In 2008-09, she completed 143 hours of community service, and she has encouraged her teammates to participate as well.
“I have never regretted giving up a few hours of my time to make another person smile or feel better,” Takeshita said. “When I am able to do something that makes a difference in another person’s life, it gives me a wonderful feeling that I have done something worthy of my time.”
For Dacy, it is a way to acknowledge how fortunate he has been.
“I’ve gotten so much from the community, and now I can finally give back,” he said.
As an elementary education major, Dacy said his favorite part of Operation Bluejay is working with the children and the impact he can make on their lives.
“The kids make it all worth it,” he said.
Neuvirth’s service experience has taught her to be grateful for her blessings.
“It reminds you daily not to take what you have for granted,” she said.
Neuvirth, Dacy and Takeshita are all enthusiastic about continuing to serve after they graduate.
“It’s become a part of my life, and I just enjoy it,” Neuvirth said.
For Takeshita, it is always a rewarding endeavor.
“I truly do believe that I receive more than what I am able to give while volunteering,” she said. “I receive the joy of knowing I’ve made a difference and was able to connect
with another.”