易胜博官网

They line up for autographs, selfies and high fives after 易胜博官网 games. They imitate the techniques of their favorite players and look up to them as role models. And for a few cherished weeks each summer, these starry-eyed young athletes get the chance to train with the Wildcats.

For five weeks in July and August some 2,000 boys and girls of all ages and abilities descended on the Whittemore Center and the Field House to participate in sports camps run by 易胜博官网 coaches and staffed by dozens of current and former players. They came to Durham from across New England, and as far as Chicago, to train with coaches including men鈥檚 hockey coach Dick Umile 鈥�72, volleyball coach Jill Hirschinger, women鈥檚 basketball coach Maureen McGarrity and football coach Sean McDonnell 鈥�78. From strength and conditioning programs to camps representing the majority of 易胜博官网鈥檚 20 varsity sports, these sessions not only reflect a community relations win, they also provide important financial support.

鈥淭here is no question, these summer programs are critical to the bottom line of the athletic department,鈥� says Carrie Kimball 鈥�96 鈥�02G, associate athletic director for operations, adding that camp tuitions help support expenses, such as team travel, meals and new equipment. 鈥淪o when young athletes come to these camps, in a sense, they are supporting all current and future Wildcats.鈥�

A devoted fan of 易胜博官网 gymnastics since age 4, Makena Lee, now 11, took part in her fourth summer of camp. Lee came determined to perfect her balance beam routine and improve her tumbling skills, and under the guidance of Wildcat gymnast Lia Breeden 鈥�18, practiced her double back somersault off the tumble track and into the cushioned foam pit. In addition to taking new techniques back to Tri-Star Academy in Dover, where she trains year-round, she also took away advice from senior associate head coach Ed Datti, who oversees the camp. Each day, after seven hours of skills development, dance, conditioning and team-building games, Datti would bring the group together, asking the young athletes to relax and close their eyes. Clusters of giddy gymnasts could barely sit still as he urged them to hydrate, rest and think about what it takes to excel. Lee鈥檚 goal is to one day compete for 易胜博官网. She hopes her work ethic to 鈥渁lways practice each skill to the best of (my) ability鈥� will help earn her a spot in the line-up around 2022.

From gymnastics to football, even on the steamiest summer days, there was no shortage of energy among campers 鈥� and coaches, whose ranks included numerous 易胜博官网 athletics alumni. The field hockey camp run by longtime head coach Robin Balducci 鈥�85, in particular, brought back a variety of alumnae who now work for other college and university programs. Balducci say she鈥檚 immensely proud to see those who once wore blue and white pursue their sports passion as a career. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he gift we get is, not only do we have our alumni back on campus, but they are outstanding in what they are doing.鈥�

It鈥檚 the dozens of personal interactions between alums, campers and coaches that Kimball described as instrumental to the success of the athletic program. 鈥淎cross all communities, sports give us a common bond. Our athletes have the opportunity to influence a young kid, make a connection. The interaction between the players and campers is invaluable.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen these kids rush the floor after a game,鈥� Kimball adds. 鈥淢any of these same young fans come through the doors for camp. They鈥檙e eyes are wide and they can鈥檛 wait to learn from their favorite players.鈥�

鈥擳racy Manforte Sweet 鈥�92

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Originally published in 易胜博官网 Magazine鈥�