cr - the spartan experience

The Spartan Experience

The Spartans of San Jose State University are eager to announce the participation and future participation in approved community volunteer opportunities listed below.  For further information please click the link(s) provided.

Women’s Gymnastics Supports the NFL
San Jose State University Gymnastics starts the year off with the first community outreach program of 2005.  On Saturday, August 13, the ladies of Sparta embark on a season commitment to the San Francisco 49ers marketing department.  Every home game...

Men’s Golf Reaches Out to Alumni
On August 12, volunteers from the Men’s Golf Program, Jared Wise and Graham Skytte assisted the College of Business for the Annual Alumni Golf Tournament...

BAWSI GO GIRL GO
The Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI) exists to mobilize women
athletes in practical ways that bring health, hope, and wholeness to girls and women in the San Francisco Bay Area.

BAWSI Women Running the Country
Women’s Head Coach Janice Richard is selected to provide motivation to the participants of BAWSI’s Women Running the Country program.  The following article was developed around the FITT principals and driven from personal experience.

Hurricane Katrina Comes to Spartan Village
The city of San Jose and San Jose State University host evacuees from the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina in Spartan Village.  The Athletic department hosted several entertainment activities during the month of October with Women’s Basketball, Softball and Football.

Women’s Gymnastics join San Jose Councilmember Ken Yeager
On October 11, Women’s Gymnastics Student-Athletes, Angela Bazant and Alley Zezoney coached the challenge set forth by Councilmember Ken Yeager by encouraging participants in a stair challenge up the 18 floors of the New City Hall.
For more information

Anne Darling Elementary
The Spartan “STEP” Program kicked off with an evening with Sammy and friends on October 13th at Anne Darling Elementary School. 

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
On Saturday, October 22 the SJSU Women’s Soccer team, lead by team leader Erin Lavey, participated in the American Cancer Society’s premier event “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer”.  The mission of this noncompetitive event is to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.  On the foggy Saturday morning in San Francisco our women's soccer team was part of the 17,000 walkers for this noble cause.  $1.3 million were raised for breast cancer.  Thank you so much ladies for your participation.  For more information about this event please visit the American Cancer Society’s at:  http://www.acsevents.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=107124

Parkview Elementary
On Friday, October 21, Parkview Elementary School invited our student-athletes to participate in the Hispanic Parent Involvement Day.  The morning program consisted of a variety of short programs hosted by grade levels K-5.  In addition, San Jose State athletes Favian Villalobos (football) and Lorena Martinez (softball) were able to present a short presentation to the students of Parkview Elementary and their families on the importance of setting college as a goal, and the steps to help their children find success.  The difference in their presentation was that Favian and Lorena conducted the entire presentation in Spanish.  After the conclusion of the program, Favian and Lorena entertained questions from the children and their parents.  In addition, Justin Paysinger (football) and Chris Reese (football) toured other classrooms and engaged with students as they went through their daily agendas.  Favian also joined his teammates as they read to a very attentive group of third graders.  San Jose State Athletics looks forward to hosting Parkview Elementary as the Spartans take victory against the Aggies of New Mexico State on November 19th. 

Red Ribbon Week at Los Alamitos Elementary School
Former San Jose State University Quarterback and current Quarterback Coach Marcus Arroyo kicked off Red Ribbon Week at Los Alamitos Elementary School.  Marcus spoke to an audience of about 80 fifth and second graders about the choices he has made in his life which have lead him to where he is today.  He spoke about the importance of staying active and having a well-balanced lifestyle--incorporating school work, athletics, family, and friends.  He also talked about his influences and inspirations in his lifeemphasizing being able to turn to coaches, teachers, and family members for social support.  He also stressed the importance of creating good habitsincluding exercising daily, eating well-balanced meals, and always getting plenty of rest.  When asked about recognition for all his hard work, he replied that his college degree was his greatest reward. 

UPD’s Annual Safety Fair
On October 26th and 27th Women’s Gymnastics and Women’s Basketball attended University Police Department’s Annual Safety Fair.  In conjunction with the day long event, both teams supported fundraising efforts by volunteering their time throughout the day at various booths.  Fundraising proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Silicon Valley region. This was UPD’s Sixth Annual Safety Fair.  Located on campus on Paseo de Cesar Chavez, UPD attempted to create lifelike scenes in which safety prevention could have saved lives.  For more information about the fair visit:
http://www2.sjsu.edu/police/pages/news/100604.html

Silicon Valley Marathon
On Sunday, October 30, 2005 Women’s Basketball and Women’s Gymnastics attended the Silicon Valley Marathon.  With two weeks left in the GOGIRLGO program, San Jose State University athletes joined to rally on the students they are mentoring this semester. BAWSI (Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative) was an ally of the marathon, run by the Silicon Valley Children’s Foundation.  The two women’s teams were at the marathon promoting gymnastics and basketball, but were also there to offer support and continue to promote healthy alternatives and a healthy lifestyle.  For more information on the marathon visit:  www.svmarathon.com

Valley Medical Center Bowl-A-Thon
On Sunday, November 6 softball coach DeeDee Enabenter-Omidiji participated in Valley Medical Center’s Bowl-A-Thon.  Sponsored by BAWSI (Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative), DeeDee joined the cause of raising funds for Valley Medical Center’s patient recreational programs. 

Millbrae Rotary Club
On Tuesday, November 8, Coach Tom Williams, Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers Coach, represented San Jose State University Athletics as the guest speaker for the Annual Rotary sponsored luncheon honoring graduating Football players, Spirit Squads and Band Members from Capuchino and Mills High School at the Greenhills Country Club.  Since its beginning in 1997, this event has grown to become a date significant to the families associated with each school and a popular warm-up to the final football game in the high school careers of these scheduled for the following Saturday.  Each year, this luncheon features a guest speaker from the world of athletics with a special interest in young athletes.  In recent years, such figures as Bubba Paris, Vernon Glenn, Roger Theder and Bob St. Clair served as such speakers.  Robert George, Luncheon Chair, "We register our thanks to Coach Williams, his words were inspirational and his delivery warm and charming.  He touched every person sitting in the room with the reminder that dedication and discipline will aspire excellence in their future."

Gymnastics Teaches Physical Education Class at Seven Trees School
On Thursday, November 17, Coach Wayne Wright and gymnasts Adriane Mertens and Alley Zezoney visited Seven Trees Elementary School to teach a physical education class.  To show their gratitude, the students of Seven Trees Elementary School extended an invitation to join them for lunch.  Before leaving, Adriane Mertens wowed the students by signing gymnastics schedule cards. 

Spartan Football & Second Harvest Food Bank Drive
On Saturday, November 19, San Jose State Athletics teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank at Spartan Stadium for the First Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive.  Before the Spartan football feam led us to victory against New Mexico State, members of the men’s golf team, women’s tennis team, and women’s soccer team rallied our tailgaters to support the cause with monetary contributions for Second Harvest Food Bank.  Once the gates opened, the volunteers manned each entrance collecting the non-perishable items and spreading the word about the organization’s mission.  We were able to collect eight bins of canned food and over $500.  Special thanks go out to all the Spartan fans for their kind donations, without your support this event would not have been a success. In addition, thank you to women’s tennis, women’s soccer and men’s golf for making their presence known in the stadium and for volunteering their time and energy to such a great cause.  For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank you can visit their website at www.2ndharvest.net. 

Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
On Tuesday, November 22, participating student-athletes and coaches from the football team spent the evening distributing meals to local families on behalf of San Jose State Athletics and Loves & Fishes Family Kitchen.   Each coach along with the student-athletes joined the families that requested assistance with preparation for their Thanksgiving meal in their homes.  The team was able to reach out to seven families in the Spartan neighborhoods.  In addition to the meals, the families were extended an invitation to join San Jose State University at the November 26 football game.  The success of this event has ignited the football team to make this an annual tradition.  "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - Anonymous
For more information on the program please visit - http://www.loavesfishes.org

Sacred Heart Community Service
On November 21 through the 23 members of the softball team, women’s golf team, and cross country team volunteered at Sacred Heart Community Service. Sacred Heart Community Service is a non-profit organization whose mission is to fight poverty. Our volunteers gained hands-on experience from start to end with the preparation and delivery of the meals to families at Sacred Heart Community Center.  Jen Goodwin, Assistant softball coach states, “This experience was fulfilling for all who participated.  Every person we interacted with was truly grateful for all our time and efforts.  This is an activity we look forward to doing again in the near future.”  A special thanks to all our volunteers.  Your time and care is appreciated.  For more information you can visit their website at www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org.

St. Vincent's Food Pantry
The Student-Athletes and Coaches from the women's volleyball team embrace the Holiday spirit during their trip to Reno, Nevada for the WAC tournament.  On Friday, November 25, in between tournament play, the team volunteered their time at St. Vincent's Food Pantry.  During this engagement, student-athletes and coaches were able to assist individuals and families from the Reno community with a special Holiday meal.  It is wonderful to have the Spartan Experience spread across the country.  For more information on St. Vincent's Food Pantry please visit - http://ccsnm.org/FoodPantry.asp

Women’s Gymnastics Spread Christmas Cheer
Women’s gymnastics, in participation with the City of San Jose, spent the afternoon on Saturday, November 26 in preparation for the annual tradition of Christmas in the Park.  Coach Wright and the student-athletes from gymnastics used this opportunity for a team building event while adding their own pizzazz to this holiday tradition.  Christmas in the Park runs until January 1, 2006 everyday from 9 a.m. to midnight.  Come out to support San Jose State Athletics and let us know what you think about our tree.  For more information please visit http://www.christmasinthepark.com/. Nice job Amberly Klein, Adriane Mertens, Tracie Kavalec, Kelsey Spellacy, and Alley ZezoneyMartha Stewart would be proud. 

Spartan Basketball and Sunday Friends Toy Drive
On Tuesday, November 29, Sunday Friends teamed up with Spartan Athletes at the men’s and women’s basketball games to collect toys and raise monetary contributions for this local non-profit organization.  The toys collected will be used to stock the shelves of Sunday Friends’ Treasure Chest for the Holiday Program on December 11.  Sunday Friends is an organization that provides a supportive environment for low-income families. Volunteers from men’s Golf, women’s tennis, women’s soccer, and men’s football came out and helped to collect dozens of toys and over $300.  Thank you volunteers for helping to spread the holiday cheer. Michael Hobson, the Associate Director of Sunday Friends Foundation, extends his gratitude to everyone involved and wishes the student-athletes and administrations at San Jose State University a happy holiday season. For more information about Sunday Friends or to learn how you can help, please visit their website at: http://janis.bizland.com/index.html

Upcoming Events:
December 1:  Gymnastics delivers clerical support to Sunday Friends
December 9:  Renaissance Field Days
December 12:  Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
December 14:  University Police Department (UPD) Toy wrapping
January 23: Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
January 28:  Sierra Monte Middle School Fundraiser Men’s Basketball Game
February 3-5:  Athletic Department volunteers for Habitat for Humanity renovating a house
February 13:  Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
February 20:  Spartans Volunteer at Live Oaks Adult Day services assisting with exercise and arts & crafts
March:  Seven Trees Elementary & Sheppard Middle SchoolRead Across America
March 20: Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
April 10: Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
May 22: Spartans assist at Pala Middle School
June 5: Spartans assist at Pala Middle School