WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT:  Wesleyan soccer programs make good of long break

Rocky Mount, NC - Very few collegiate athletic programs get to enjoy 10-day breaks during the peaks of their seasons.  The North Carolina Wesleyan men's and women's soccer programs, however, got just that prior to the College's Fall Break.  Wesleyan's men, who are in the midst of the best season in program history, recently returned to action last Tuesday having played their last game on October 7th.  The women, who returned to action this past Saturday, had played their last game on October 10th.

So how did head coaches Jason Kilby and Beverly Biancur keep their squads focused on the task at hand during such long breaks?  ... by having them perform community service!

The two squads combined to conduct a free soccer clinic on campus for area youth last Wednesday, October 17th.  Nearly 50 participants showed up at Scalf Field to receive instruction from Bishop coaches and players.  Six stations were set up that allowed the kids to practice dribbling, passing, juggling, shooting, and goalkeeper skills.  The final station allowed for small-sided games.

"The ratio of kids to Wesleyan players was great," said Kilby.  "Each kid got valuable individual instruction."

The Bishop men continued their charitable efforts on Friday when several players spoke and gave demonstrations at the Rocky Mount Prep School located behind campus.  Kilby and assistant coach Frankie Taal's groups each conducted 20-30 minute sessions per class.

Kilby added, "We really want to see the kids get excited about soccer.  Anything we can do to raise soccer awareness in our area is a positive."

On the women's side, Biancur has similar plans for her Bishop women.  She has already visited the Nash-Rocky Mount School Board to set up times with area elementary schools for lectures and clinics.  Her players will begin these sessions at season's end and continue through the spring.

Finally, Biancur's squad took the field on Saturday at Ferrum with a little piece of hope attached to their uniforms.  Each player sported pink tape in honor of the USA South's effort to raise breast cancer awareness.

"This is a very worthy cause, and I'm proud to have our girls support it," said Biancur.

So how should a coach combat a 10-day break?  It would be my advice to follow the lead of Coach Kilby and Coach Biancur.  Giving back to area youth, area schools, the community, and society as a whole is both productive and rewarding for all involved.  Just ask our Battling Bishops...

 

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