Indiana University Athletics
Men's Soccer Makes Visit to IU Health Children’s Hospital
3/28/2016 2:50:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Student-Athlete Services
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana men's soccer has always been able to count on the support of its home town fanbase.
From blistering August afternoons to brisk October evenings, the Hoosier Army packs the stands of Bill Armstrong Stadium as the team takes the field. The Hoosiers know their play is closely followed. They know they're cared about.
They want the community to know the feeling is mutual. So this past Thursday, the team began an initiative to give back to Hoosier Nation by volunteering at the IU Health Children's Hospital.
"It means a lot to everybody," junior Billy McConnell said. "We want them to see that we really do care about them just like they care about us. They're not just our fans. We want to get to know them on a personal level."
The team was met at IU Health by a room full of smiling faces, some of whom recognized the IU soccer players, others who were just happy to have new play mates. The Children's Therapy Center offers pediatric services to a wide range of children with disabilities, including those in need of physical, occupational and speech therapy. Volunteer assistant coach Brad Swenby organized the visit.
Players and patients played catch. They put together puzzles. McConnell, noticing a young girl working with her therapist, stepped in, eager to help.
Her name was Julianne, she was 12 years old, and she couldn't walk. Cerebral palsy had made the left side of her body much weaker than her right, but she was learning to use her left side to lift herself up.
With McConnell holding her attention, she succeeded. Twice.
"You take nothing for granted for life," he said. "Seeing all these kids and seeing what they have to go through every day and seeing all the struggles and the difficulties that they have to overcome. It makes me feel for them. I tried put myself in their shoes as much as I could."
For freshman Andrew Gutman, children with disabilities hold a special place in his heart. He volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics in grade school, where he developed a close bond with a classmate named Joe.
Joe's favorite TV show was "Phineas and Ferb." Gutman would spend much of his free time watching episodes, that way he and Joe would have something to talk about. Whatever he could do to make Joe feel normal.
"I think that's the best part about the clinic," Gutman said. "They make the kids feel as normal as possible and bring a smile to their face."
A busy offseason for Indiana spent lifting and conditioning picks up in April, when it will compete in four spring matches across the state, including two in Bloomington. On April 2, the Hoosiers play host to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and on April 24, they welcome the Mexican Youth National Team.
The Hoosiers know they will have the backing of the Hoosier Army in those games. And as soccer activities pick up, the team is committed to showing them the same support, with plans to visit the Boys and Girls Club on April 1.
A visit to the Children's Therapy Center left them feeling too inspired not to.
"It's heartwarming to see them smile and get excited to see us," McConnell said. "It made all of us smile too."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana men's soccer has always been able to count on the support of its home town fanbase.
From blistering August afternoons to brisk October evenings, the Hoosier Army packs the stands of Bill Armstrong Stadium as the team takes the field. The Hoosiers know their play is closely followed. They know they're cared about.
They want the community to know the feeling is mutual. So this past Thursday, the team began an initiative to give back to Hoosier Nation by volunteering at the IU Health Children's Hospital.
"It means a lot to everybody," junior Billy McConnell said. "We want them to see that we really do care about them just like they care about us. They're not just our fans. We want to get to know them on a personal level."
The team was met at IU Health by a room full of smiling faces, some of whom recognized the IU soccer players, others who were just happy to have new play mates. The Children's Therapy Center offers pediatric services to a wide range of children with disabilities, including those in need of physical, occupational and speech therapy. Volunteer assistant coach Brad Swenby organized the visit.
Players and patients played catch. They put together puzzles. McConnell, noticing a young girl working with her therapist, stepped in, eager to help.
Her name was Julianne, she was 12 years old, and she couldn't walk. Cerebral palsy had made the left side of her body much weaker than her right, but she was learning to use her left side to lift herself up.
With McConnell holding her attention, she succeeded. Twice.
"You take nothing for granted for life," he said. "Seeing all these kids and seeing what they have to go through every day and seeing all the struggles and the difficulties that they have to overcome. It makes me feel for them. I tried put myself in their shoes as much as I could."
For freshman Andrew Gutman, children with disabilities hold a special place in his heart. He volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics in grade school, where he developed a close bond with a classmate named Joe.
Joe's favorite TV show was "Phineas and Ferb." Gutman would spend much of his free time watching episodes, that way he and Joe would have something to talk about. Whatever he could do to make Joe feel normal.
"I think that's the best part about the clinic," Gutman said. "They make the kids feel as normal as possible and bring a smile to their face."
A busy offseason for Indiana spent lifting and conditioning picks up in April, when it will compete in four spring matches across the state, including two in Bloomington. On April 2, the Hoosiers play host to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and on April 24, they welcome the Mexican Youth National Team.
The Hoosiers know they will have the backing of the Hoosier Army in those games. And as soccer activities pick up, the team is committed to showing them the same support, with plans to visit the Boys and Girls Club on April 1.
A visit to the Children's Therapy Center left them feeling too inspired not to.
"It's heartwarming to see them smile and get excited to see us," McConnell said. "It made all of us smile too."
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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