July 25, 2013
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – For the second time in a week, a Lobo sports team hosted Native American youth from the Notah Begay III Foundation. This time it was Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein and the Men’s Soccer program that hosted the visitors from the pueblos and reservations of New Mexico. Coach Fishbein and the Lobos have built a great relationship with local Native American youngsters with an on-going connection through the game of soccer.
“This is what we’re all about. Our guys are committed to the community and as a program we’re also committed to the community. It’s a big part of our mission. This is just a great opportunity to help the kids and to be involved with some great organizations. It’s really good for our new guys to see what kinds of impact they can have in our community and with kids,” said Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein.
Clinics for Native American children are just one component of the program’s community service and involvement. It’s also not the first time the team has brought the game of soccer to youngsters in the pueblos and on the reservations of New Mexico.
“A group of our guys, on their own, went out to the San Felipe Pueblo and did a clinic last year. They really got to know the kids and the community. A bond was formed and it’s something we are going to continue to do as much as we can,” Coach Fishbein noted.
In addition to playing some soccer with the Lobos, clinic attendees also got important lessons on the importance of health, exercise, nutrition and more as Fishben observed. “Soccer is hopefully a lifelong activity for these kids, but most importantly, we use it as a medium to stress the importance of personal fitness, health, diet, teamwork and diversity. It’s just a catalyst for so many things.”
The Lobo Women’s Basketball program welcomed visitors from the Notah Begay III Foundation to the Rudy Davalos Basketball Center on Monday.