Women’s Hoops Team Part of Scots in Service Day

For Immediate Release

September 23, 2003

Written by Hugh Howard
330-263-2374
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WOOSTER, Ohio — As part of The College of Wooster’s 3rd annual national day of community service (Sept. 20), entitled Scots in Service, during which Wooster alumni, parents, friends of the College, and current students work together on organized one-day projects in 15 regions of the country simultaneously, the women’s basketball team helped clean-up one of the 13 city parks in Wooster.

It marked the second year in a row that the squad volunteered its skills and time. Thirteen members of the Wooster team performed a variety of activities, including painting/staining, mulching, and repairing trails and foot bridges, at Christmas Run Park.

"There’s two reasons why we do it," seventh-year Scot head coach Lisa Campanell Komara explained.

"One is we want to provide our players an experience outside of basketball, which promotes balance for them. The second thing is there’s a need to give back to the community, to thank them for … supporting us."

Not only does it help the Wooster community, but it brings the team together right before the season’s first practice.

"It is a team-bonding thing for us," added Campanell Komara. "It’s an activity they enjoy. It’s hard work, but they also get to talk. They’re painting and sharing stories with each other at the same time. It helps the first-years get acquainted with their new teammates, as well as for the (veterans) to get re-connected."

While participating in Scots in Service day is a relatively new tradition for Wooster’s women’s basketball team, it has been raising money each of the last six years for an annual donation to the Wayne County Special Olympics via halftime contests. Fans get the chance to compete in half-court and three-point contests for various prizes, sponsored by Donato’s and the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers.

Campanell Komara said the Scots have given over $1,300 to the Wayne County Special Olympics, which they have in turn used to purchase new uniforms for their athletes. Wooster has also performed basketball clinics for them in the past.

"Obviously, our basketball players have loved the attention," George Starr, the Area 10 Co-Director of Special Olympics Ohio remarked previously. "The best thing they have done for us is show the interest. We’ve been very happy with (our relationship)."

Through these service activities, Campanell Komara also feels when her players graduate, they’ll leave with a greater sense of school and community pride.

"Even though our players are only here four years, it’s things like these that help give them an attachment to Wooster."