April 20, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Continuing a tradition of service, the Mizzou Soccer team set itself apart by receiving the 2006 Community Service Life Skills Award of Excellence on Wednesday. Individually and as a team, Tiger soccer players have been involved in numerous projects, events and causes throughout the entire academic year.

"We want to provide our athletes with more than just a soccer experience here at Mizzou," Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "It's about giving back to a community that supports our kids."

Some community service activities include participating in the Starlight Reading Program, reading to children in local elementary schools, Truman Kids Club events, working with children from Blue Ridge Elementary School during the holidays, participating in the PedNet "walk to school" events and providing a soccer clinic for kids during the Big Brothers-Big Sisters mentor celebration lunch. For Valentines Day, the entire soccer team went to the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital to visit and provide support to patients.

In April, the team volunteered in the Jay Dix Challenge to Cure race to help raise money for local cancer research.

"It's fun to be able to get out and be involved in the community and meet new people," Tasha Dittamore said. "I think it means a lot to our team to be able to give back."