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This article was originally published on UWBadgers.com on July 31, 2017. It is featured in the Sept. 13 issue of Varsity Magazine.
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Under an ominous sky, a late-model van pulled into the driveway of the Goodman Community Center and five young women emerged wearing solemn expressions.
They looked nervous, intense and wary. They said little as they made their way toward the door of the food pantry located on Madison's east side.
Over the next two-plus hours, freshmen members of the Wisconsin women's basketball and hockey teams were introduced to a unique culture that will help define their time as student-athletes at UW.
They stocked shelves and assisted the needy from all walks — men, women and children; 20-somethings and the not-so-young — as they filled bags and makeshift carts with donated food items.
In some cases, the teenagers helped shoppers take their goods from the narrow confines of the small display area to waiting vehicles, never mind that a tornado warning was in effect for the area and heavy rains were falling.
By the end of their shift, the UW entourage — basketball player Niya Beverley and hockey players Natalie Buchbinder, Kyleigh Hanzlik, Brette Pettet and Maddie Posick — wore small, relaxed smiles.
"We were a little nervous because we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into," said Beverley, a guard from Washington, D.C. "Once we got here and learned that we have each other, we were fine."
The experience was humbling, enlightening and wholly rewarding.
"To brighten someone's day and know you're helping out is one of the best feelings in the world," said Pettet, a center from Kentville, Nova Scotia. "Knowing you can make a difference, whether it's big or small, is very important."
Learning how to make a difference in the world is part of the summer curriculum for incoming UW student-athletes.
Service learning courses are offered for credit that include a volunteer or community engagement component such as a food pantry, senior center, youth camp or hospital.
More than 40 academic departments at Wisconsin teach in excess of 100 service learning courses during the school year. These classes and labs — in this case, Kinesiology 508, Lifestyle Redesign and Health Promotion for College Students — include at least 20 hours of service throughout the semester as part of the course requirement. Two credits are based on textbook work. Another comes from community projects.
The UW Office of Academic Services and the Office of Student-Athlete Development have major stakes in the process, which is in its third summer of operation.
Badgers Give Back, the community outreach arm of the UW Athletic Department, is the liaison for this endeavor that provides organization, oversight for visits and transportation to the student-athletes.
"They're going out and applying what they're learning and how to be good stewards," said Jackie Davenport, the director of community relations for UW Athletics.
The idea is to plant the seed of civic awareness in the minds of incoming UW freshmen student-athletes and nurture it throughout their careers as Badgers.
"It's a great opportunity to help others," said Hanzlik, a center/wing from Wisconsin Rapids. "It kind of teaches you what life is like in different ways than yours is."
In addition to women's basketball and hockey, UW freshmen student-athletes in football, men's basketball, men's hockey and wrestling were involved in the summer session, totaling nearly 60 participants.
A few hours prior to the food pantry visit, members of the men's hockey team made their second pilgrimage to the Neighborhood House, a local non-profit that provides programming for youth, adults and families who are looking to strengthen their community bond.
For the better part of two hours, brothers Jason and Sean Dhooghe, Tarek Baker, Josh Ess, and Wyatt Kalynuk engaged with campers age 7 to 12, playing cards and assorted board games.
"Hey, the hockey guys are back," announced one camper when the UW entourage arrived via the back entrance after dodging raindrops through the parking lot.
In short order, the five student-athletes were immersed in games and animated conversations. For example, Jason Dhooghe, a winger from Aurora, Illinois, engaged two boys in building a massive structure out of pliable, plastic pieces.
"It's a masterpiece," said Jason, who played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the U.S. Hockey League last season.
At a nearby table, younger sibling Sean Dhooghe, a winger out of the U.S. National Team Developmental Program, was involved in a game of Jenga. It's a test of skill whereby players try to get their opponent to topple a 54-block tower of wooden pieces.
"That was intense," Sean said, smiling, after surviving one round.
Working with kids is nothing new for Baker, a wing/center from Verona who has helped his mother operate a daycare out of her home. He said patience is an important virtue.
"They're young kids and they're looking for role models," said Tarek, who played for Sioux City of the USHL last season. "They think it's cool that we play for the Badgers and stuff, so it's just key to be a good role model for them."
Baker's new teammates seemed to share his sense of ease.
"I was extremely comfortable," Sean Dhooghe said. "This was only our second time here, but I love being around kids. I think they're fun and you can end up learning a lot from the kids you interact with."
Ess, a defenseman, said the outreach brought back fond memories growing up in Lakeville, Minnesota.
"When I was a kid I looked up to older hockey guys — older people in general — so it's fun to give back what I received," he said. "It's been an awesome experience for me."
Baker said he's familiar with the Badgers Give Back program because he grew up in the area. Same goes for Posick, a winger who attended Stoughton High School and played for the Madison Capitols.
"It shows that our community and the people we influence are very important to us and that our image is very important to us," she said.
What does it say to an out-of-state student-athlete that a program like this exists at UW?
"It says a lot," said Pettet, who attended Shattuck St. Mary's (Minnesota) High School before coming to Madison. "I'm from Canada and I've always been told that the Midwest is very friendly and very nice. It's definitely true. Ever since I walked on campus there's people there willing to help you and very selfless.
"I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give back. When I first came here a lot of things were new — a lot of new experiences came my way — but I've definitely had a lot of help given to me since I've been here and a lot of guidance.
"To make a small difference like today is the least I can do. I'm glad I could be a part of it for sure."
Ess, who played at Lakeville South High School, said civic experiences like this are vital to the maturation process.
"I haven't really thought about it much until I came here, but it's been awesome to be a part of this program," he said. "It is a big deal to try and make these kids smile and have fun outside of their homes and communities."
Jason Dhooghe said visiting food pantries, nursing homes and hospitals is cherished by UW student-athletes.
"The community really supports us during the season, so since we're not in the season, it's a good chance to use some of our spare time to give back," he said.
"We have to give back and be that role model that we wanted when we were young," Sean Dhooghe said. "Even though it's an assignment, I think all of us here would be here on our own."
A subtle benefit is seeing how future teammates handle themselves in an unfamiliar environment.
"I've just gotten to know them, so coming here and spending a few hours has enabled me to get to know them better and see the people that they are, and how generous they can be," Pettet said.
"Watching them do their jobs and not just go through the motions," Sean Dhooghe said. "Having a good time builds a level of trust amongst each other and also gets us comfortable with each other."
Before everyone piled into vans to return to campus, there was reflection.
"I learned not to think about myself all the time, to think about others and help others and that's really important in life," Beverley said.
"I've done a lot of community service, but I've never interacted really with the people that I've served," Posick said. "It's mindful. You never take anything for granted. You have a lot of opportunities and you shouldn't waste them."
