"Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." --Mattie Stepanek
BALTIMORE – A meaningful and special time was enjoyed by Towson University and Morgan State University student-athletes during a unified community service activity at the Weinberg YMCA Saturday afternoon.
This was the second activity this week leading up to the "Battle For Greater Baltimore" football game between Towson and Morgan State on Sept. 1. Kickoff from Morgan State's Hughes Stadium is 7 p.m. The football teams held a press conference on Thursday at Glory Days Grill.
In addition, representatives from the Special Olympics of Central Maryland, a partner of Towson athletics, assisted with handing out free backpacks to the kids at the end of the event.
Interacting with children from the city of Baltimore, members of the Towson women's cross-country team partnered with representatives of the Morgan State track and field and softball teams to make it a memorable afternoon for the kids. They were filled with joy and consistently smiling while playing games of Simon Says and duck-duck goose.
"This was so much fun," Towson senior Druex Collins said. "All of the kids were amazing, nice and so energetic. I am glad we had this opportunity to give back to the community. We all had a nice time. I've never bonded with Morgan State. I just see them on the track. So to be in an intimate environment and get to know them off the track was really nice."
The student-athletes also enjoyed each other's company while teaming together to facilitate relay races, football tosses, balloon races and hula hoop activities. Kids and adults danced, shouted, sprinted and posed for plenty of snapshots. The day concluded with a dance competition and members of the Tigers answering questions from the kids.
This outreach activity was part of Towson's Total Tiger program, which takes a 360-degree view of the development of Tiger student-athletes. The goal is to educate, advocate, mentor and serve. The program gives Towson student-athletes opportunities to engage and interact with the Greater Baltimore area through community service and mentorships.
"This was a great opportunity to partner with Morgan State and commemorate the 'Battle For Greater Baltimore' while doing something impactful in the community for our youth," Towson head men's cross-country coach Mike Jackson said. "An activity like this is important for us to engage our student-athletes. Many of them are new and they just got on campus yesterday. To get them immersed into the community is terrific because it's something we talk about during the recruiting process."
