Saratoga Springs, N.Y.--More than 130 area youth soccer players are attending the Third Annual Skidmore College Soccer Spring Break Soccer Clinic. The event is organized by Skidmore men's and women's soccer players with all registration fees going to Soccer Without Boarders/Favela project.
Close to $5,000 was raised during the 2009 camp.
The camp continues an alliance with
Soccer Without Borders, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that operates in the U.S. and internationally. Staffed entirely by volunteers, its mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of marginalized youth. In partnership with communities, the organization creates programs that reinforce the importance of young people making healthy choices for their futures.
Women's soccer sophomore Abby Benton and men's soccer sophomore Pat Wildes are the primary organizers for this year's event. They along with other Skidmore students-athletes have volunteered their time to help with this great cause.
The other student athletes were
Nick Cinquino, Greg Lloyd, Steve Vasquez, Tim Shepard, Tim Lueders-Dumont, Sam Glickman, Matt Wolff, Mark Jensen, Diego Reinero, Gabe Zieff, Nick Peterson, Lucas Holmes, Nate Steward, Chris Tofalli, Ike Okpoebo, Aaron Krepack, Joe Phalen,Nick Sexton, Annie Rosencrans, Jess Cobley, Amber Kinsey, Meghan Sleezer, Gabi Palacio, Kelsey Yam, Elena Stansky, Alyssa Miller, Emily Quirk, Katie Rasche, Maggie Abernethy, Catherine Kapustynski, Allegra Robinson, Becca Russo, Lindsay Schmitt, Laura Groetzinger, Kate Ito, Michelle Finan and Lucy Campbell.
"Overall, it's a great camp. The campers love it, the counselors love it and the parents love it." said Benton. "We're doing something big for a great cause and having fun at the same time."
“We truly value the impact that soccer continues to have on our lives as student athletes, and we want to make sure that disadvantaged children around the globe also have the opportunity to embrace this wonderful sport.” Wildes said.
The event is unique opportunity for the local kids during spring break to enjoy the great facilities at Skidmore and connect with student-athletes that play soccer for the Thoroughbreds. All of the proceeds from the camp are donated to SWB Uganda, 100% of which go directly to providing soccer and learning opportunities for refugee youth and Ugandan youth living in the community of Ndejje.