Orange Mound Community Center Photo Gallery

July 24, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Summer vacation brings up images of beaches, family vacations and time to rest and recover for most Tigers fans, but University of Memphis student-athletes are having a different experience this summer. While some student-athletes have gone home, a number of them stayed on campus, taking summer classes and assisting with various community service opportunities around the Bluff City.

The most recent opportunity was done in conjunction with the Memphis Park Commission on July 20. Members of the football, men's soccer, women's tennis and volleyball teams participated in a visit to the Orange Mound Community Center to interact with youth in the opening event of the Community Engagement Initiative between the city of Memphis and the University of Memphis. That camp gave the Tigers a chance to speak on the importance of academics, healthy lifestyles and physical activities and also offered free health screens to children for the upcoming school year. A short photo gallery from the event is listed above. Fans can also click on the Memphis Tiger Network video from the event.

The Tigers' next event is Friday, July 27 when Tigers' student-athletes appear at a Special Olympics Bowling Event.

The Tigers' PAWS (Preparing Athletes for Winning Success) program is a comprehensive program at the University of Memphis that provides opportunities for personal and professional growth for student-athletes. PAWS strives to help student-athletes balance school, sports and social lives while encouraging development in community service and career development. The career development program includes job shadowing, internships and assistance in preparation for graduate school, while the life skills program offers development in finances, nutrition, communication skills, stress management, time management and personal development. Last fall, student-athletes at the University of Memphis completed over 1,300 hours of community service.

For more information on the PAWS program or to see about including student-athletes in your event, please see: http://www.memphis.edu/lifeskills/ or contact Student-Athlete Development Coordinator Kristin Rusboldt at khopkins@memphis.edu or by calling 901-678-2388.