Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Davenport University women’s basketball team is having as much success on the court as they are making a difference in the community. The Panthers, who enter this week as the #11 team in the country, boast an overall record of 18-3 and 5-0 in league play.  But what they are doing off the court will have a longer impact on those around them. 

For the past few months, the team has participated in a program called “Heroes” that is sponsored by the Student Life Office at Davenport University.  “Heroes” is a mentoring program that pairs up DU students with a Caledonia middle school or high school student.  The program helps the younger kids form positive attitudes about school, encourage positive thoughts about the student and his/her future and provides the local community with university role models.  The “Heroes” program also strives to provide Davenport University students with positive service experiences to assist in professional development.

Players from the women’s basketball team spend 30-60 minutes each week with their mentee and they also attend special mentoring events throughout the year.  The Davenport University student-athletes have the opportunity to build relationships with the younger kids and help them achieve higher grades, improve relationships with the adults around them as well as say no to drugs/alcohol and increase self-confidence.  Mentoring does not “fix” personal problems, it builds individual strengths. Mentoring is one of the most meaningful ways to volunteer because you can significantly impact the life of a young person.

The team will continue to provide mentorship for the remainder of the school year, even when their basketball season comes to an end.  Maybe one day one of the children that are being touched by a current DU student-athlete will become a Panther themselves and help continue the tradition on and off the court!