PULLMAN, Wash. - Building on the Washington State University Athletics Strategic Plan "UNLEASH" and the Student-Athlete Development Department "The Cougar Pursuit" initiative, student-athletes from the Cougar Athletics' programs participated in a variety of community service efforts throughout the fall.

"We are proud of our student-athletes and the commitment they have to serving others, supporting our communities, and showcasing what it means to be a Coug," said Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "The community service efforts that our student-athletes have participated in is a testament to their commitment to WSU and our communities we serve. While COVID has presented challenges, our student-athletes were innovative and found ways to creatively and safely serve others in and around our communities."

"I am proud of our student-athletes for their service efforts this fall despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic," said Zack DeThomasis, Student-Athlete Development Graduate Assistant, and Community Service Coordinator. "It speaks to the character of the student-athletes that we have at Washington State University, and their willingness to be involved in the community, whether in Pullman or their hometowns. 

The community service events were conducted primarily in a virtual format. Any in-person events observed CDC social distancing guidelines and masks were worn. Community service initiatives that student-athletes participated in during the fall semester include:

Holidays at Sea: Letters for Military Members
•    Throughout the week of Nov. 9-13, 16 student-athletes wrote letters to servicemen and women, both returning to the United States, and also those deployed overseas.

Pullman Elementary Class Visits
•    Pullman Elementary Class Visits consisted of 18 student-athletes virtually "visiting" various elementary classes throughout the Pullman School District. WSU student-athletes were able to visit five classes from Nov. 5 to Nov. 20.  

Letters to Pullman Elementary School Students
•    Student-Athletes participated in "Writing Letters to Pullman Elementary Classes" to interact with various classes throughout the Pullman School District.  Over 75 student-athletes wrote letters to Pullman elementary students. In addition, student-athletes are still writing letters during the holidays season. 

Hometown Service
•    Student-athletes not located in Pullman still contributed to their own hometown communities. The student-athletes made and distributed masks, wrapped and distributed gifts for foster families, and participated in youth sport instruction, road cleanups, and volunteered at community food banks.
 
"It was truly an incredible experience to give back to a community that has given me so much," said freshman track & field and cross-country student-athlete Peyton Teevens. "It was an amazing opportunity to get to hangout and bond with such an awesome group of kids. I feel extremely lucky and honored to have gotten that experience and to be looked up to as an athlete. I'm very excited to continue using my platform to give back and be a positive advocate for change."

In addition, football student-athletes distributed school supplies and equipment to Pullman public schools and men's basketball participated in virtual classroom visits with elementary school students.

"It is important to WSU and our Athletics community as a whole to give back," said Men's Basketball Recruiting Coordinator Michael Plank. "We really enjoyed getting to interact with young students in the community and encouraging them on the importance of hard work, commitment, and dreaming big. We look forward to the next opportunity to serve the youth in our communities."

"I want to thank the teachers in the Pullman School District, who were gracious enough to let our student-athletes virtually visit with their classes, as well as our campus partners and other organizations that we worked with," said DeThomasis. "As a Land-Grant University, we have a duty to help others and I am proud that we were able to make an impact."

For more information on the WSU Athletics Student-Athlete Development Department and The Cougar Pursuit program visit its website at WSUCougars.com.