In addition to attending classes, doing homework, practicing and competing, student athletes also take time out of their lives to improve the lives of other through volunteering.

It is housed through a committee in athletics comprised of different departments while most teams partake in community work on their own. On Oct. 12 the swimming and diving team along with the DU gymnasts volunteered at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, an event to raise awareness and money for research and treatment to eradicate breast cancer.

This Sunday, freshmen student athletes will take part in a big brother/big sister event. Each team will have a station and a group of more than 80 “bigs” and “littles” will spend 12 minutes at each station in order to experience all the sports. This program is connected to the freshmen transition class within athletics.

Teams also work with the VIP Program, which is an outreach program where DU students go to low-income high schools and teach students why they should consider the university. For example, the basketball team can go to one of the high schools such as West High School and put on a basketball clinic.

Teams also visit Children’s Hospital on a rotating basis every other Wednesday and go to grade schools to read for the students. Teams volunteer conduct clinics at high schools while on the road during their down time or help out at a homeless shelter.

According to Chris Wujek, student athlete support services coordinator, “it’s all about learning how to give, it will come full circle.”

“Student-athletes can learn more life skills in a community service project than from any class,” said Wujek. “Through the process of giving, one realizes how much had been given to him or her.”

“This is my favorite part of the job,” said Wujek. “It’s exciting to see the student athletes in a role model position, impacting the lives of others. These kids look up to the student athletes.”

According to Wujek, volunteering in the community is a win-win situation where everyone can benefit.