On Jan. 3, the women’s basketball team gave their basketball advice to local fourth through sixth graders at Oak Ridge Elementary, a school in the Guilford County School District. The program was part of the elementary school’s “Hoops for Heart” program. The women of Guilford mentored 200 kids as well as signed autographs for the students. The team tries to do something for the community as often as they can.

“We try to get out in the community and make a positive influence on the community and younger generation,” women’s head coach Stephanie Flamini said.

Similarly, on Nov. 4, the Quaker baseball team volunteered one of their NCAA-regulated 16 days of fall practice to assisting at the Special Olympics. Players served as guides for the Special Olympics cyclists, but not many players saw it as community service.

“It wasn’t viewed by our players as community service,” graduate assistant coach Rob Bittner said. “It was a fun activity and a chance to put a smile on people’s faces.”

The players also saw it as an opportunity to learn. “It was nice to see people enjoying themselves instead of getting caught up with the competition,” first-year Sean Corbett said. “The athletes reminded us to play for the love of the game.”

Quaker athletes helped more than just their own community. The women’s basketball team participated in a nationwide program formed to support cancer research, similarly called “Hoops for Hope” while visiting Virginia Wesleyan on Jan. 27.

During games, Coach Stephanie Flamini will sport a pink outfit and players will also wear pink wristbands for the cause. The pink indicates that Guilford has donated to “Hoops for Hope.”

Other donations from Guilford athletes include the baseball team’s gift of gloves, balls, bats and other baseball equipment to a children’s recreational team in Israel.

The women Quakers host ODAC-rival Bridgewater tonight at 7 p.m. The Quaker baseball team opens their season tomorrow, visiting Christopher Newport University at 2 p.m.