Temple University Athletics
Temple Volleyball with Katie Regetta, the Director of SquashSmarts
Volleyball Team Volunteers at Squash Smarts in North Philly
4.24.14 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA - Continuing to serve the community during the offseason, Temple volleyball volunteered on Wednesday, April 23 at SquashSmarts in North Philly. Founded in 2001, SquashSmarts is a free, intensive out-of-school time program changing the lives of Philadelphia's public school students.
The building itself holds a number of squash courts as well as rooms for tutoring students. Kids who are a part of SquashSmarts must go through a try-out process to be accepted. Once they're in the program, the directors set them up with individual squash practices as well as tutoring sessions, which primarily take place after school. The directors of Squash Smarts also set high school kids up with college campus tours as well as career days and other opportunities. SquashSmarts is a place where kids are able to get away and focus on how to achieve their dreams.
When the team got to SquashSmarts, the director, Katie Regetta had the Owls fill out forms and then they began to mingle amongst the kids. At 4:30 they were called to a squash court for opening remarks and an introduction. After the meeting with the kids and other squash volunteers, they split into groups. Half of the athletes worked in the academic rooms (high school and middle school rooms), and the other half taught kids how to play volleyball. An interesting fact is that when volleyball is played in a squash court, it's called wallyball.
Each of the athletes had an allotted amount of time to work with the kids before the groups rotated. In the high school room, the kids asked the athletes questions about what it's like in college, about different majors, and about the process of choosing a college. In the middle school room, some of the athletes helped tutor the kids. They either had homework, or were working on a website which the SquashSmarts volunteers had helped them create. Some of the other kids were involved in individual sessions/practices with their SquashSmarts volunteers, and the rest of the kids learned how to play volleyball with the Temple athletes.
The Owls began by teaching the kids how to pass and set, and as they got the basics down they were able to play mini games. A t6:05, it was the end of practice and the day for the kids. Everyone met back at the squash court, and listened to some final remarks. The director, Regetta, opened up the floor for anyone to give shout-outs for kids that made an impact that day. Once the final meeting was done, everyone met at the center of the court and had a cheer- 1, 2, 3, SQUASHSMARTS!
The building itself holds a number of squash courts as well as rooms for tutoring students. Kids who are a part of SquashSmarts must go through a try-out process to be accepted. Once they're in the program, the directors set them up with individual squash practices as well as tutoring sessions, which primarily take place after school. The directors of Squash Smarts also set high school kids up with college campus tours as well as career days and other opportunities. SquashSmarts is a place where kids are able to get away and focus on how to achieve their dreams.
When the team got to SquashSmarts, the director, Katie Regetta had the Owls fill out forms and then they began to mingle amongst the kids. At 4:30 they were called to a squash court for opening remarks and an introduction. After the meeting with the kids and other squash volunteers, they split into groups. Half of the athletes worked in the academic rooms (high school and middle school rooms), and the other half taught kids how to play volleyball. An interesting fact is that when volleyball is played in a squash court, it's called wallyball.
Each of the athletes had an allotted amount of time to work with the kids before the groups rotated. In the high school room, the kids asked the athletes questions about what it's like in college, about different majors, and about the process of choosing a college. In the middle school room, some of the athletes helped tutor the kids. They either had homework, or were working on a website which the SquashSmarts volunteers had helped them create. Some of the other kids were involved in individual sessions/practices with their SquashSmarts volunteers, and the rest of the kids learned how to play volleyball with the Temple athletes.
The Owls began by teaching the kids how to pass and set, and as they got the basics down they were able to play mini games. A t6:05, it was the end of practice and the day for the kids. Everyone met back at the squash court, and listened to some final remarks. The director, Regetta, opened up the floor for anyone to give shout-outs for kids that made an impact that day. Once the final meeting was done, everyone met at the center of the court and had a cheer- 1, 2, 3, SQUASHSMARTS!
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