Although it is not a requirement for Sacramento State athletics teams to participate in community service, some coaches make it a policy for their teams to give back.

Teams that have made community service a priority within the past three months include gymnastics, men’s basketball, women’s rowing and men’s soccer team.

Mike Connors, head coach of the women’s rowing team, said his team is required to contribute eight hours of community service per year.

The rowing team has participated in charity running events like Your Next Step is the Cure and Making Strides against Breast Cancer.

Every year the team also participates in Jog for Jill, a lung cancer awareness walk that is held in honor of a former UC Berkeley student-athlete.

Last November, the team volunteered at Shriners Hospital for Children, which provides care to children with special health care needs, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

During their visit, members played games and made bracelets with children.

Connors said student-athletes are put in a position where they are seen as role models and should represent the school and team in a positive way.

“It’s a privilege to be a student-athlete and it’s important to give back and connect with the community,” Connors said. “I believe they will continue to volunteer [even] when they graduate.”

The men’s soccer team has also contributed to the Sacramento community.

Men’s soccer head coach Michael Linenberger, said his team is highly encouraged to volunteer and every member does at least once.

Every December for the past 15 years, the team has volunteered at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. They collect stuffed animals to give to children in the intensive care unit and pediatric center.

Organizational communications major and captain of the men’s soccer team Mason McCann, said volunteering at the hospital was his most memorable experience.

“We see kids smile when they get their stuffed animals and we know it makes a difference,” said McCann. “Being able to give back is a big part of what a student-athlete is. We get to do what we love.”

The team also volunteers with the youth soccer community by hosting free soccer clinics and signing autographs.

Javier Munoz said doing community service with his teammates brings the team closer.

“We’re looked upon as role models by kids and they take that to heart what we do,” Munoz said. “Such simple things like just doing clinics for children who might not have the financial ability of others and teaching them how to kick a ball, means a lot to them.”

In April, the men’s soccer team will be going to an elementary school in Sacramento to read books to students before going out to the field to play soccer.

“We think it is important for our guys to understand that it’s about giving back and contributing to the community,” Linenberger said.