One of the perks of being a Hoya athlete is having the opportunity to engage in various community outreach events. In the spring, the Hoyas football team partnered with Be The Match to assist with the charity’s Bone Marrow Registry Drive.
In late July, the Georgetown University football team held its Men for Others Day as coaches and players participated in a pair of summer camps in the D.C. The Hoyas headed to Anacostia to assist with the GOODProjects and HoyaMed Summer Sports Camp.
GOODProjects is run by Hoya football alums Darius Baxter, Troye Bullock, and Danny Wright. The non-profit organization provides opportunities for at-risk youth and their families. It also provides workforce development training, mentorship, tutoring, social entrepreneurship training, athletic development, social-emotional development, alternative environmental exposure, college readiness as well as the basic needs for families.
Offensive Coordinator, Michael Neuberger and Special Teams Coordinator, Michael Banks brought a group of Hoyas to the event.
“It was a great day and we had fun interacting with the kids,” junior defensive back Jethro Francois (Miami, Fla./Winter Haven) said. “It felt great being a role model and giving those kids an opportunity that I never had when I was younger – meeting a collegiate football player – and having a chance to truly build a bond and relationship with one. Our goal was to impact the kids but they also had an impact on us. For that, I am extremely grateful.”
HoyaMed Summer Sports Camp focuses on children, ages 5-to-13-years old, who are experiencing homelessness and living at the D.C. General Family Shelter. The camp is organized by Georgetown University medical students who volunteer as camp counselors.
Led by Defensive Coordinator, Kevin Doherty, the Hoyas spoke with the kids, played touch football and had some shaving cream pies thrown in their faces.
“It was great to get off campus and try to make an impact in the community,” senior offensive lineman Matthew Houpert (West Hartford, Conn./William H. Hall) said. “We get so focused on school, football, work and all, it’s easy to lose perspective. Days like this help us not only take a step back to appreciate what we have at Georgetown, but also step up to connect with the DC community.”
Some of the week’s other activities included kickball, tag, soccer, flag football, track & field races and dance competitions.
