The soccer teams of OLLU understand the importance of being champions of character on the field and in the classroom. The student-athletes also recognize that they can be effective role models for impressionable youngsters in the community. This year, the Saints teams, under the leadership of Coach Hurley, took the initiative of becoming tutors and mentors with Myers Elementary School, which is located in the city's northwest off Culebra Rd.

The NISD mentoring program matches members of the community with students to provide a positive role model. Mentors help improve a student's self-esteem and attitude toward learning.

The Saints' student-athletes worked with individuals and small groups from kindergarten, first grade and second grade.Tutors assistedwith vocabulary, reading skills, writing skills and some life skills.

During the fall semester, the student-athletes spent Friday afternoons at Myers when conflict with practice and games did not appear. In the spring, the teams' off-season, they mentored and tutored every week.

The NISD Partner-of-the-Year Awards Ceremony was emceed by KSAT 12 (local ABC affiliate) News Reporter Stephanie Serna, a graduate of the district's John Jay High School. When presenting the award to Hurley, she read an excerpt of his comments from the award package saying, "Coach Hurley indicated that after the experience of tutoring and mentoring the youngsters, many of his student-athletes are considering switching their majors to education so that they can become teachers after they graduate."

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - of which OLLU is a member - stresses the importance of five core values, including integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. And through the soccer teams' involvement with the mentoring program at Myers, they fulfill their commitment to the Champions of Character.

"Coach Hurley and his teams are fine examples of student-athletes who take their leadership roles on campus seriously," said Jack Hank, OLLU Vice President for Student Life/Athletic Director. "We are proud that they have excelled both in the classroom and the playing field, and now, in the community, as well."

Saints soccer athletes volunteering at Myer Elementary include:

Freshmen: Stephanie Diaz, Ashlee Thompson , Stephanie Rodriguez, Brianna Burtone, Javier Lopez, Oscar Valencia, Marcelo Chapa, Bobby Moran, Arnulfo "AJ" Gonzalez, Steven Ybarra

Sophomores: Cindy Lima-Caceres, Steven Salinas, Juan Buitron, Alyssa Mora

Juniors: Chelsea Flores, Abby DuLaney, Aaron Guerrero, Luis Octavio Herrera, Nikole Gase

Seniors: Hailey Olden, Rebekah Valenta, Edgar Ramos, Marco Herrera, Dustin Kagebein, Hernan Ramirez