South Bend Times

The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped student-athletes at the University of Notre Dame from giving back to the community. 

“Our student-athletes are finding many ways to make a difference whether it be by providing reading resources, conducting donation drives for schools or providing leadership advice,” said Collin Stoecker, program coordinator of student welfare and development with Notre Dame athletics.

Among the projects Notre Dame student-athletes are engaged in includes working with underserved populations and Title One schools, such as DePaul Academy. The academy serves male teens who have a history of delinquent behaviors, mild mental health issues, abuse, neglect and trauma needs.

“Our focus is taking our student-athletes' passions and turning them into tangible opportunities to make a difference,” Stoecker told South Bend Times.

The pandemic is forcing charitable service to take place remotely through recorded videos, Zoom and other virtual interactions, Stoecker added.

“We have had a few exceptions such as a drive-thru food drive and a Fighting Irish Fight for Life Celebration but these events were paired with extreme safety precautions,” he said. “During these events no student-athlete was allowed to have direct contact with the outside public.”

As of Nov. 30, there are 338,977 reported coronavirus cases statewide and 5,456 deaths, according to the Indiana state COVID-19 dashboard.

“The in-person events require that student-athletes follow all safety protocols like mask-wearing, social distancing, gloves and no contact with the general public,” Stoecker said in an interview.

Other safety precautions include recording all live digital interactions that are conducted through Zoom. A minimum of two adults must be present on the call.

“Our student-athletes have done a fantastic job this year, adapting to our world's current environment, and making adjustments,” Stoecker said. “They are all just as passionate, if not more, and are finding extremely creative ways to make a lasting impact not only in the South Bend community but communities across the country.”

Notre Dame community partners include South Bend schools, Empowerment Zone, Special Olympics, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, OWLs Lacrosse, Alliance Catholic Education, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Holy Cross Village, DePaul Academy, Center for the Homeless and Race for Change.

The Fighting to Read Fighting to Feed Project was started by Notre Dame women's soccer team member Cam Dyke.

“It provides an online digital library of student-athletes reading books to kids and teachers across the country,” Stoecker said. “All new books added to the library come from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which chooses books based off of their story-telling and diversity."

Since beginning in March, the library of student-athletes reading children's books has grown to 98 with a goal of achieving 200 by May 2021. 

"Notre Dame athletics gives back to the community by collaborating with our student-athletes to find their passions in giving back while also communicating with schools and other local partners about their current needs and ways we can help their populations," Stoecker said.