Dec. 9, 2005

Tar Heel student-athletes stay busy with a variety of community outreach and community involvement activities in addition to their academics and team responsibilities.

Carolina Dreams is a program that brings children treated at North Carolina Children's Hospital to campus to spend an afternoon with student-athletes while attending an athletic event. On Nov. 12, the UNC softball team hosted a group of kids at the Maryland football game.

UNC student-athletes make weekly trips to a local elementary school as part of Get Kids In Action, a student-athlete mentorship program designed to promote daily physical activity by school children. The program is a partnership between the UNC School of Public Health, the UNC Department of Athletics and The Gatorade Company.

To celebrate the 25-year anniversary of the first NCAA women's championships, the UNC Department of Athletics partnered with the Carolina Women's Center to host a reception honoring female student-athletes and coaches. The Nov. 14 event was held at Kenan-Flagler Business School and included an address by B. Glenn George, a professor in the UNC School of Law.

The Tar Heel softball team hosted kids from UNC Childrens Hospital at the Maryland football game on Nov. 12. The Carolina Dreams program gives kids the opportunity to attend a UNC sporting event along with members of a Tar Heel team. Cassie Palmer (far left) and Casey Testa (far right) with some new friends at the game.

The Tar Heels make weekly elementary school visits as part of the Get Kids in Action program. Kids learn that there are many ways they can be active and get exercise. On Nov. 14, the UNC Department of Athletics and the Carolina Women's Center hosted a reception celebrating 25 years of NCAA women's championships.

The evening included a speaker and refreshments. Tar Heel coaches and student-athletes attended the event.