The Daily O’Collegian

Students and faculty at OSU are finding opportunities to serve and interact with children at the Stillwater YMCA.

Opportunities available include coaching and refereeing sports in youth sports leagues.

“I love to watch the kids play,” said Janelle Root, a biochemistry and molecular biology freshman. “They work hard and they have good attitudes. It motivates me to work hard and have a good attitude also.”

Bubba Gaeddert, the sports director at the YMCA, estimated about 40 percent of the volunteers for sports leagues at the YMCA are students.

Students said they have found working with the kids a rewarding experience.

“Refereeing isn’t a job to me,” said Neil Niles, an accounting junior. “You go out there once or sometimes twice a week to have fun, give high-fives and be a mentor and a friend to kids who want to have fun as well.”

OSU student athletes have even gotten involved with the YMCA youth program.

“Being a referee was a great experience,” said Ashlyn Brantley, an intern at the YMCA and junior midfielder on the Cowgirl soccer team. “I had a lot of fun with the kids.”

Billy Lewis, a strong safety senior on the Cowboy football team, said he recommends other students try volunteering at the YMCA.

“Coaching is very rewarding,” Lewis said. “The kids are lots of fun. You get to pass on knowledge and skills.”

Although some students may think coaching or refereeing may take a lot of time, Root said it wasn’t a problem finding time to coach, even with her busy class schedule.

“I didn’t really have any trouble finding time to coach,” she said. “We only had one practice during the week, and the games were only on Saturday mornings so it was pretty easy to set aside a couple of hours each week.

“The kids were so much fun that the time I spent with them actually became a great break from classes.”

Root also thinks the YMCA is a great opportunity for children.

“After this experience, I’d recommend any kid to play YMCA sports,” she said. “It’s such a great atmosphere for kids to play in. It’s all about learning the game and having fun.”

Professors are also involved at the YMCA.

Jason Kirksey, a political science professor, and Mwarumba Mwavita, an educational studies professor, put in special contributions to the YMCA.

Both professors had two children involved in YMCA basketball, and they coached their children’s teams.

Mwavita said being able to spend time with his sons was important.

“Coaching two teams at the YMCA is a privilege … both of my sons get to have fun with dad,” he said. “Being a positive influence in their lives is important, as well as them doing the same for me.”

Kirksey said he enjoyed volunteering at the YMCA.

“It keeps you feeling young, and it is a great way to give back to the community.”