Valley Athletes Combine Service with Academics

Valley volleyball team and older adults
play chair volleyball at StoryPoint Kalamazoo
at Bronson Place.

On one side of the volleyball net were Kalamazoo Valley Community College athletes in their blue and black uniform jerseys and on the other side were senior citizens in blue vests with catchy nicknames on them, like Bam Bam and Yoopers. Welcome to chair volleyball at StoryPoint Kalamazoo at Bronson Place retirement community, formerly The Fountains, on a recent Tuesday afternoon.

The game was kind of like beach volleyball, except the net was erected in a common area inside of a building, instead of on a beach. The ground was carpet, instead of sand. And everyone returned their volleys while seated in metal folding chairs, instead of from a standing position. The spectators were fellow residents, staff and visitors, who enthusiastically cheered all on.

"Engaging the senior residents in physical activity was awesome for our players," said Athletic Director Russell Panico.

Team members agreed. "I'm so glad I was able to experience playing with the residents," said sophomore Madison Burke. "They were so good! I was impressed. I loved how they had their custom jerseys with their nicknames on them. I can tell they work hard in their practices. They even beat us! It was definitely a heartwarming experience I'll never forget."

Sophomore Rylie Glass said, "It was unlike anything I'd participated in before. I really enjoyed it." Teammate Lauren Barno, also a sophomore, said the experience may help her with career choices. "Lately I've been considering going into geriatrics and this helped all the more," she said.

This was the Kalamazoo Valley volleyball team's first community service project for the Fall 2023 Semester. In addition to volleyball, the college offers men's and women's basketball, softball and baseball. Every semester, all five sports teams must participate in at least two community service projects.

Some will do even more than that, Panico said. The two-project minimum was implemented when Panico was hired in July 2011. He leaves it up to the coaches to choose their projects.

Volunteerism had long been an expectation of Valley's scholar-athletes, but it was an informal one with no specific requirements. Panico believed it important to change that.

"Community service gives the players the experience of giving back to the community and exposes them to different walks of life," Panico said. "Student-athletes are also great representatives of the college, and allowing them to interact with the community puts our athletic program and the college in a positive light."

Volleyball coach Rhonda Sturgeon said she thinks the activity was beneficial for both players and seniors. "I think community outreach projects help boost young people's self-confidence and gives them a chance to give back to our community. Even doing small things for others can go a long way. I don't think young people realize what a positive impact they can have on others."

Gabriella High, a freshman, said she'd like to play chair volleyball again. "I loved the chair volleyball games," she said. "They were so much fun to play in and even more fun to watch. I hope to be back soon."

Over the years, players have volunteered at schools; at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes food bank and other area agencies; and at annual events, ranging from Girls on the Run, Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention Walk, the Anti-Violence Carnival to Tim Tebow's Night to Shine Kalamazoo prom night for people with special needs.

One of the newer service projects is the free basketball clinics for girls and boys at the Douglass Community Association in Kalamazoo, led by Valley basketball players and coaches for the last two summers and created through a partnership between the college and the Douglass.

Home games at the Texas Township Campus are always free. Find the game schedules at athletics.kvcc.edu. For questions about the recruiting process, contact Panico at 269.488.4393 or email .