Charlotte 49ers student-athletes continue to donate thousands of hours of community service to the Charlotte area and surrounding communities.
Led by Chris Everett, director of student-athlete development, the young men and women donate most of their time to local charitable organizations.
Many activities, like visits to the Levine Children’s Hospital and area elementary schools or clinics and presentations at Education Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day, directly affect children.
On Feb. 7, more than 60 Charlotte 49ers dressed up to participate in the local “Night to Shine” prom. Now in its sixth year, the event was launched by former NFL player Tim Tebow for young people with special needs.
One of the student-athletes who attended the “Night to Shine” prom was Tyriq Harris, a defensive end on the Charlotte 49ers football team.
“It’s a real blessing to be able to go,” he said. “The kids have a lot of fun but it’s not a one-way street. We get a lot from it too.”
Harris, 22, a senior biology major from Roanoke, Virginia, said his community engagement opportunities at the University have made him a different person.
“Community service is everything to me,” he said. “I’ll be doing this for the rest of my life.”
That sentiment was echoed by senior soccer player Mary Manser, 22, a systems engineering major from Mooresville, North Carolina. She also attended the “Night to Shine.”
“I’ve found out through this program I am passionate about helping others,” she said. “After I graduate, I hope to work for a company that believes in this work because I want to continue to do it.”
This year, the 49ers community service activities included the YMCA Miracle League All-Star Game, the 2nd Annual Hoops and Academics Event, CMC Cardiac Rehabilitation 5K, Habitat for Humanity, Room at the Inn, Ronald McDonald House, Urban Ministry Center and Crisis Assistance Ministry.
Up until now, the women’s soccer team has accumulated the most community service time with 415 hours. Women’s golf stands at 367 hours, softball at 323 hours and football at 321 hours.
“This is not just another required activity,” Everett said. “I’ve had student-athletes thank me for getting them more involved. They realize it keeps them on the right track.”
Everett has been running the program since 2014 and it has grown in its scope every year.
“My goal is for all of our student-athletes to get up to 10 hours even though their minimum hours of community service is only two hours,” he said.
Right now, the total number of hours of community service performed by student- athletes stands at 2,341. Last year, the total was 4,487 hours and Everett believes this year’s final number should equal or exceed that total.
“All of this service allows them to get out in the community and have an influence on the world,” he said.
Photo, main Inside UNC Charlotte homepage, Chris Everett, center, director of student-athlete development at UNC Charlotte, is joined by two of his most active student-athletes, Mary Manser, 22, a systems engineering major from Mooresville, North Carolina, and Tyriq Harris, 22, a senior biology major from Roanoke, Virginia.