Women's basketball keeping busy in the community
March 19, 2013
Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
The Alaska women's basketball team has continued its tremendous outreach into the Fairbanks community as of late, having partaken in a pair of activities in addition to their basketball and academic duties.
Back on Feb. 24, following a pair of home wins, the Nanooks decided to volunteer some time at the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. The student-athletes served food to those at the homeless shelter and were able to interact and meet with those in need.
“Even after the two games, it was still worth it to us to go help out at the shelter,” freshman Brianna Kirk said. “People thanked us for helping and made us feel really good. After getting those two wins, it was nice to get out and help in the community.”
Three days later, while preparing for the season finale against Alaska Anchorage, the team once again returned to Weller Elementary School for the second straight year to participate in Reading Day. After leading the school's Book Character Parade, members of the team performed drills and contests for the kindergarten and first-grade classes, followed up by a friendly scrimmage against the older group.
The women's basketball Nanooks were joined by four of the Alaska hockey players for the Reading Day activities.
“A lot of the kids seemed to be more interested in basketball once we were there,” Kirk said. “They all got our autographs and it was a lot of fun. They were a great group and all of them cooperated. They were curious about basketball and asked us how we got to where we are.”
The women's basketball program agreed to participate in at least one community service act each month and have exceeded its preseason expectation to date.
“When we are out doing community service, people get to know us a lot better and in turn want to come to our games,” Kirk said. “It's nice to see people we've helped out at the games.”
The team will continue its community activism this Saturday as they will once again team up with the Boys and Girls Club of Fairbanks for a community event at Arctic Bowl in Fairbanks.