SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- When Union College was founded in 1795, a pillar of its core values was the integration of the College with the surrounding community. With classes on break, many Union student athletes have had more time to carry on the tradition of giving back to the community. Teams provided the campus and local communities with sport clinics and events, educational lectures, holiday gifts and meals, and even physical labor.

The athletic department joined the College-wide effort to renovate a house on Barrett Street that the College donated to Habitat for Humanity. On December 5, members of the men's hockey team, along with various coaches and administrative personnel, braved the cold to help at the house.

"It was fun to get involved with things around town and help out the community," said men's hockey team captain Matt Cook. "Helping to work on this house together was great for our team, too. It was good for us to get out and work on a project like this together."

The women's basketball team also lent a hand at the house on December 15. Other athletic teams are scheduled to work throughout the year as the house nears completion in the spring.

The men's hockey team served Thanksgiving dinner at the Schenectady YMCA for the third consecutive year on November 20. The team helped serve food and beverages, as well as clean tables for the YMCA residents.

"Our team values the opportunity to give back," said Head Men's Hockey Coach Nate Leaman. "We look forward to serving Thanksgiving dinner at the YMCA every year. Not only do we get to help out those who support us all season long, but we get to work together as a team off the ice."

The men's and women's basketball teams invited Bob Saltzman '69 for an evening lecture about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. A noted speaker on the topic, Saltzman included the original Magruder film in his lecture, attended by approximately 75 people.

The men's and women's hockey teams hosted the annual Dinner and Skate with the Dutchmen and Dutchwomen on Sunday, December 9. After skating with the teams, many members of the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association and the Garnet Blades joined the teams for a pasta dinner.

The men's and women's swimming and diving teams welcomed the little brothers and sisters involved in the Union College chapter of the mentor program, Big Brother Big Sister, prior to hosting the Liberty League Championships. The teams volunteered their time to provide swim lessons for the kids. The afternoon was enjoyed by everyone who participated and the Union swimming and diving teams are eagerly looking forward to inviting them back again.

The women's basketball and volleyball teams joined Union College's Records Department and the Department of Social Services of Schenectady County to sponsor families for the "Adopt-a-Family" program. 

"As the need has grown so greatly over the years in Schenectady county I reached out to the whole Union community three years ago to ask if others would like to participate," said Kathy McCann, Director of College Relations Data Systems and the head of the Adopt a Family program at Union. "This year about 50 some people will be served through the generosity of the Union family including the wonderful members of the two teams."

The women's hockey team participated in the 2007 Holiday Tree Lighting Festival at the Empire State Plaza. The team demonstrated some drills and then skated with the public, including New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer and his family.

The women's hockey team ran a skills clinic with the Clifton Park Youth Hockey girls' program in early November. Approximately 20 girls ages five to 10 attended the clinic, geared for those who are just learning to play hockey.

Union's student athletes have continued to demonstrate the College's commitment to serving the campus, local and global communities. In this season of giving, teams have given back in numerous ways that carry on the tradition that is at the very heart of Union's ideals.