Charlotte's entire athletic department took part in the Hearts:Hands Playground Build at Nevin Park. |
Niners Compete for More Than Wins at Nevin Park's Race Playce
Oct. 7, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte's entire athletic department used the final days of September and the first days of October to assist the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department's Hearts and Hands Playground Build effort at Nevin Park for the youth of the greater Charlotte area.
"I feel that schools need to do more things like this to let the communities know that we care," commented Associate Head Track and Field Coach Timothy Vaught about how important the Hearts and Hands Playground Build was for the 49er Track team, the Charlotte athletic department as well as the entire community.
Charlotte student-athletes joined volunteers from throughout the community in turning what was already a beautiful neighborhood park into a NASCAR themed playground paradise coined Race Playce.
With power saws buzzing, hammers pounding and the groaning of hard labor, Race Playce became a mini-motor speedway for the area youth.
One part of the 49er track team that knows a lot about strength and power moved not just pounds, but tons of gravel through the park with a wheelbarrow train that made rush hour look like a pleasant drive up Highway 29 on a Sunday morning.
"The throwers moved five dump truck loads of gravel into the playground by wheel barrel which took the most of the five hours of their volunteer time," said Assistant Track and Field coach Kevin Fitzpatrick, who also noted that sprinters, hurdlers and distance runners joined the work crew in moving gravel.
Later in the day, the 49er softball, golf and tennis players joined the gravel brigade, while both basketball teams helped sand and varnish fences. Men's soccer and tennis used their time cutting and drilling the many features of the park, which includes tool chests and trophy cases.
"It was so awesome to see all the different athletes helping out the community. There were soccer players drilling, softball players shoveling, and basketball players painting. As an elementary education major, this was right up my alley," said senior softball player Jenny Rumbles.
Charlotte's volleyball team got an early jump on Monday evening and moved lumber around the job site and built what would be the foundation for the park.
Charlotte's defending A-10 champion baseball team took a break from hammering the ball over the fence to hammer nails throughout the day.
"We had a great time and this was such a great chance to give back to the community. It was also a great team building experience for us," said junior outfielder Mike Perkins.
With the entire athletic department taking part in such a great cause, the administrative staff also took full advantage of the opportunity to make their mark on the community.
"We had a blast working on the playground build, and it was just great to work with the student-athletes and see them work together towards a common goal," stated Mark Verburg, Assistant Director of the Athletic Academic Center and Director of LifeSkills.
Athletic Director Judy Rose also noted that it's important for the 49er teams to repay the Charlotte community for the support they've shown to the Niners over the years.
"Our athletic department is constantly asking for support from the community, so we need to give back and show that we are team players, not only during competition but in the community as well," said the long time 49ers athletic director.
Race Playce is slated to open to the children of the greater Charlotte area on October 29th with a special observance of the event slated for 5:30 p.m. that evening.
