June 12, 2009

2009 Summer Youth Program Men’s and Women’s Soccer Photo Gallery

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s and women’s soccer teams joined the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation to participate in the 2009 Summer Youth Program on Friday morning. Former South Carolina Associate Athletics Director for Academics Harold White heads up the program working with officials from the City of Columbia.

The soccer teams worked with the participants on soccer related drills such as passing and shooting on goal. The event took place on the intramural fields outside of the Strom Thurmond Wellness Center.

Every year, the program seeks to introduce youth to new recreational activities and provide them with an experience on South Carolina’s main campus. The program consists of 40-80 children who participate in various activities on Friday mornings for eight weeks, utilizing USC’s facilities, coaches and student-athletes. A different group of kids from various parks around the city will participate each week, serving over 300 participants total. Youth get to interact with the Gamecock coaches and student-athletes through track and field, soccer, basketball, swimming, equestrian, football, cheerleading and volleyball.

The City of Columbia and USC provide participants with transportation, supervision and lunch. The USC Student Affairs Department provides the facilities, equipment and lifeguards for swimming. South Carolina Athletics provides the coaches and student-athletes for motivational discussions and instruction.