RIVERDALE, NY - For the 200 or so College of Mount Saint Vincent student-athletes, their time that's not dedicated to practice and games or homework and papers, is precious, which is why we seek to highlight some of the amazing community service work they've done this semester.
 
Starting with two members of the CMSV men's basketball team, Andrew Curiel and Neeko Zeno, the Co-Founders of Be You, Stay True, held their 2nd annual basketball camp at nearby Monsignor Scanlan High School during the summer. Curiel and Zeno are committed to providing a free and fun day basketball camp for boys and girls between the ages of 8-13, as well as continuing to spread their inspirational message. The camp attracted nearly 40 campers this year, all of whom received some BYST gear.
 
The CMSV women's basketball joined in with the rest of the NCAA women's basketball world by taking part in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Inaugural Day of Service initiative. The team took part in two different events, first volunteering at a memorial 5K run and second, doing a "Supper With The Sisters" on campus.
 
The Dolphins lent their support to the Andrew McArdle Sports Scholarship Fund 5K, a memorial race held each year to honor Andrew McArdle, a star baseball and football player at Carmel High School and cousin of current CMSV sophomore Kelly Oliver. The race was started by Ms. Oliver's family to honor Andrew's life and help raise scholarship funds for up to five Carmel High School seniors. The team was responsible for setting up the registration and welcome tables, as well as being out on the course, giving out water, high-fives and encouragement.
 
"I'm proud that my family can do something positive for other student-athletes in memory of my cousin," said Ms. Oliver. "To be able to celebrate his memory with my teammates really shows what a family we are and how we can come together for a great cause."
 
The team's "Supper With The Sisters" event gave each of the student-athletes a chance to sit and bond over a meal with the founders of the college and hear their incredible stories.
 
"We were so excited to be able to spend an evening with the Sisters of Charity," said head coach Laura Pruitt. "They are trailblazers who stood up for what they strongly believed in to start a movement focused on positive change and collective responsibility to find a way to make the world better around them. That is the kind of inspiration every team needs before they start their season."
 
For the fourth year in a row, the CMSV Softball team volunteered at the Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. This is the premier wheelchair basketball event in the country that brings together the best wheelchair basketball teams in country.
 
The softball team, led by Mark Roldan, helped out in every aspect of the event, they set up the entire gym for the event, and they helped register participants, while running the shot clock and scoreboard during the games and helped serve a post-game meal to all the participants.
 
The CMSV Men's Lacrosse team was also involved as well, as they continue to run a "Toys for Tots" event for the children of Leake and Watts. The team has developed a relationship with the local community organization over the past few years and are grateful they can assist in helping over 8,000 children, adults and families.
 
Throughout campus, the team placed boxes, where people could donate toys and later this month they will collect all the boxes and present they toys to local children.
 
"We are so thankful for the help the campus community provides for our Toys for Tots Drive," said head coach Andrew Wendol. "This is such a great opportunity to benefit the Leake and Watts community and we are glad to help out."