At a time when their normal fall semester routines have been altered tremendously, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athletes have insisted on having at least one constant that they refuse to relinquish … giving back to the community with the sole purpose of helping others.

RPI student-athletes have a long history of selflessness throughout the Capital District and not even a global pandemic has changed that mindset and commitment. They completed more than 2,000 hours of community service during the 2019-20 academic year despite not having the opportunity to participate in some big events, such as the annual SAAC Special Olympics Basketball Tournament or Relay for Life, because all instruction went remote in mid-March.

The fall of 2020 has presented similar challenges, but Rensselaer students are no strangers to working together as teams to overcome adversity in order to continue to create opportunities. Among them is an ongoing reading partnership with School 14 in Troy. While student-athletes visited the school for in-person events in the past, COVID-19 restrictions meant a different method. That was not a problem for the 15 student-athletes, who pivoted to virtual reading partnerships with some third graders.

"I have met three times now with my partner and I absolutely love it - he's an incredibly sweet kid," said Liz Brady, a graduate student who captains the lacrosse team and is an executive board member of SAAC. "He always seems to be excited to read with me, and tries really hard to try and show his capabilities. I think that motivation is a bit of an accountability piece for him where it keeps him from just going through the motions by himself. Obviously, I think being in-person would be better but given the circumstances, I really like the setup we have going on."

"I have met with my buddy four times so far," said Logan O'Neill, a first-year student and member of the softball team. "He has dyslexia, so sometimes he mixes up the letters in words, but having me there to help him makes it easier for him to focus on which letters come first.

"I think I am having a positive influence; he seems excited on our calls and likes to talk about other books he has been reading in class. Having this reading partner is really enjoyable for me as well because I get to see first-hand how I'm helping him better understand what he is reading."

In addition to the program with School 14, student-athletes from the football team have participated in a virtual reading program with the Ronald McDonald House Charities in which they may be live or pre-recorded.

Various athletic teams have also volunteered regularly with a number of organizations, including Street Soldiers, The Boys & Girls Club of Albany, Sports for Children with Special Needs and the HEADstrong Foundation.

Each Thursday night for the past couple of years, student-athletes head to Downtown Troy to provide a hand with Street Soldiers, an organization that relies on individuals to aid the homeless and less fortunate. Volunteers are tasked with unloading cars, setting up tables, serving food and distributing clothes to those who seek help.
 
What has become an annual tradition, the women's soccer team and staff have participated in community service around Halloween with this year's endeavor coming at the Spooktacular Weekend at The Boys & Girls Club of Albany. The women could be found providing assistance with setup, staffing the registration – a vital part of keeping all participants socially-distanced and safe – and the haunted house, as well as helping with the music, prizes and tear down at the conclusion of the event.
 
Several members of the men's lacrosse team participated with Sports for Children with Special Needs, spending Saturday mornings in September and October as volunteers. They traded their sticks and helmets for bats and baseballs, helping ensure social distancing rules were followed and sanitizing the equipment. They would also get on the field to participate themselves, especially when there may not have been enough children on hand.
 
"Nobody asked them to get additional members of their team," Gail Wrieden, the President of Sports for Children with Special Needs, said when discussing the increased number of Rensselaer volunteers on a weekly basis. "Zach (Lima) noticed what was going on and took it under his own powers to recruit more teammates so the younger kids would have the same experience."
 
When the baseball season ended, Lima and his teammates quickly signed up to assist with the Special Needs Bowling session that takes place on Sundays in November and December. "We plan on continuing to help the Sports for Children with Special Needs organization," said Lima, a senior who spearheaded the partnership. "We are very grateful for them allowing us to support the kids while following COVID-19 safety protocols."
 
The men's lacrosse team has also been active with the HEADstrong Foundation, a charitable, non-profit organization that offers financial, residential and emotional support to families affected by cancer. The Engineers are proudly participating in the 12th Annual Lacrosse Mustache Madness Campaign – and are ranked among the top fundraisers among more than 100 participating teams. They have raised more than $6,600, well over their goal of $4,000, and continue to grow hair on their upper lips in their efforts to bring in more contributions. Please visit https://pledge.headstrong.org/team/318503 to help.
 
While the primary goal is to help others and the community, these volunteer opportunities are also beneficial to the student-athletes as they combat the inevitable adverse physical, mental and emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"To be able to help shape a positive experience for our student-athletes is nothing short of rewarding," said Karen Hansen, associate athletic director who coordinates many of the community service activities. "To watch them achieve success in the classroom, on the playing fields, and in the community are examples of how young leaders are developed. Though times are tough, the athletic department continues to be proud of our student-athletes for their resilience and how hard they are making the best of an unfortunate time."