Oneonta, NY – In late October and early November members of various SUNY Oneonta athletic teams could be seen around the local area helping their Oneonta neighbors and beautifying the community.

For more than 15 years, student athletes from SUNY Oneonta have put themselves to work at various residences throughout the community by raking and bagging leaves for those who need assistance.   The intent of the community service event is for the student athletes to understand the importance of being neighborly, developing a sense of community and learn the joy of helping others who might be having some hardships.  Students who come here for just four years learn that Oneonta is also a permanent residence for many and not just a college town in the middle of the Catskills.  A sense of community is an important component to augmenting a student athletes college education while partnering with our neighbors.

Ben Grimm the head coach of men's baseball team said, "We participate every year in this service project because it's a great way for our guys to get out and help in the community."
Men's Basketball player and senior Harrison Deegan added, "We have great support from the local community and it's always rewarding to be able to give back."

Within the mission of the college of "Growing Intellectually, thriving socially and living purposefully" students are learning the value of service to others, which will carry forth to their post-graduate lives.  Building relationships with community members allows students to feel a sense of "belonging" even if for a short time during their undergraduate years. 

The student athletes have embraced this event and the community has come to appreciate the tradition, even looking forward to this time of year knowing that they can count on some "helping hands" to clean and beautify our city.