By Sage Sammons, UNLV Athletics Media Relations
Sept. 6, 2011
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's soccer team knows what it takes to win on the field, but this year, the Rebels have impressed the community by what they have been doing away from the pitch.
"Community projects are a little bit of everything," said junior defender Mike Mota. "It helps the team get together and spend time with the community. It's good having their support because then they can come to our games. Then it's fun for us too, helping them out. Whether it's playing soccer or other activities, it's good, especially for the kids. They see us as role models."
The individuals on the team pride themselves on being good role models to the younger generation because they know what it's like to look up to someone.
"I think being a role model is big," said Mota. "Even all of us athletes have our role models."
Being a role model comes with a lot of responsibility, but if approached correctly can be very rewarding in the growth of a person. Second-year head coach Rich Ryerson has seen his players develop through the relationships they have made in many different venues, not only as players on the pitch, but as men away from the field.
"I think my guys do a great job of presenting themselves professionally as role models," said Ryerson. "I think it has been very important for their personal development too. What we want to do is excel in the classroom, on the field and in the community. And this is the way we can do it in the community. It is mutually beneficial between the players and their development and the kids and their development."
Overall, Rebel teams participated in 120 events and community service projects during the 2009-10 year. This was up from 67 in 2008-09. The numbers have not been calculated from the last academic year, but the department is expecting another increase.
The UNLV Athletics Department's goal is to be Southern Nevada's leading community partner, and they believe concentration on core areas can help achieve that goal. The three core areas of concentration are youth reading, youth physical fitness and wellness and parental involvement.
"Under the leadership of Jim Livengood, he has informed us that we will develop our student-athletes academically, socially and athletically," said Bridget Byrne, the UNLV Athletics Director of Community Relations. "With the social component come our social outreach efforts. We have centralized the efforts of our community outreach which has given us a better strategy."
Throughout the whole year the men's soccer program participates in many different community events that reflect the core areas.
"All year we have been doing different things," said Ryerson. "We have been to Opportunity Village, we have been to the Miracle League, various boys and girls clubs and recreational centers and we are doing things with the Urban Chamber of Commerce, a group called 100 Black Men, as well. We have had a good opportunity to get out in the community."
This summer in particular has kept the players very busy, as they have put in a lot of time helping kids by doing clinics and other activities.
"We did 14 appearances in the month of July and we have been pretty busy," said Ryerson.
Part of doing the community work is to create a buzz around the team. The more events the team participates in, the more the community takes notice.
"Throughout the year we try to do as many [community service projects] as we can," said Ryerson. "We have to be able to sell our program to the public if we want participation from the public. So we have to get out there and be the face of our own program. The best marketing for a team is having the players and coaches in the community."
Beyond the marketing aspect, everyone in the men's soccer program understands the responsibility of doing the community service work. The main part of doing the community projects is the service it provides.
"You would like to think that your passing things forward and it is just the right thing to do," said Ryerson. "I'm not a karma guy so it is just good for our guys to do those things. It is going to build a tighter bond with the guys. They are sacrificing something for the betterment of another group. I think whenever you sacrifice as an individual or as a group it is going to help develop that bond."
The Rebels were picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and their first game at Peter Johann Memorial Field will be Sept. 9 as they host the UNLV Nike Invitational.
