Members of the San José State men's and women's soccer teams took a break from Spring workouts, earlier this week, to conduct a clinic for a local youth soccer program.
"Working with kids is important," said Mireya Wathen-Mayorga, a junior midfielder on the Spartans women's soccer team. "We get the opportunity to positively impact someone's life. It makes me happy to see them improve and it makes my day to be able to give back."
On Wednesday, a group of first-to-eighth grade boys and girls from the Cal Youth United met with Spartan men's and women's soccer players on Spartan Soccer Field to play soccer-related games and work on essential game skills. The clinic culminated with the student athletes and kids divided up into teams and played a match.
"At San José State, community involvement is a very important aspect of our men's and women's soccer programs," men's soccer head coach Simon Tobin said. "We want our student athletes to be well rounded individuals and succeed in the classroom, on the field and in their community. This clinic with Cal Youth United is the first of many opportunities for our programs to promote the sport of soccer and build a deeper bond with the youth of San Jose."
Cal Youth United is a non-profit organization, which promotes soccer, education, and healthy living by delivering quality soccer training, academic support and health programs to underprivileged youth.
"Everyone had a blast with the players and enjoyed the drills," said Gerardo Vicuna, President of Cal Youth United. "For many of our players this was their first time meeting student athletes. It is my goal for our youth to aspire to be in the position (of the San José State student athletes) are in, receiving an education while playing the sport they love. As our first soccer clinic, this memorable experience serves as great motivation for our organization moving forward. We look forward to future events."