The Student-Advisory Committee (SAAC) of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) hosted a Kids Day at Hunter College today, to serve as role models for the next generation of children and to provide a positive atmosphere for young children from across New York City.
Children from youth groups from each of the five boroughs were invited to Hunter College to participate. Members of the SAAC held clinics and drills to introduce and expose the youngsters to different sports. Additionally, the children had an opportunity to play the sports with others and enjoy their Sunday afternoon.
“The CUNY SAAC Kids Sports Day has been a great opportunity for our Dreamers,”said Ray Llanos, the director of the Melrose I Have a Dream Foundation, one of the youth groups involved. “They got to participate and try new sports while getting to meet cool students that they can identify with.”
The day proved rewarding for both the youngsters involved and the student-athletes of the CUNYAC SAAC. “This was an amazing experience,” commented Lizmarie Vasquez, two-sport student-athlete from Baruch College. “The smile the kids had after a good hit or a pass was definitely priceless.”
The CUNYAC SAAC is comprised of student-athletes from the 10 CUNYAC member institutions. Each school has its own SAAC, which then feeds the CUNYAC SAAC. The role of the SAAC on each campus is to provide feedback to each school and prove as a voice for the student-athletes.
Participating student-athletes from the various CUNYAC schools:
College of Staten Island:
Tina Bellocchio – Basketball
Lauren Cybulskahey – Track
Danielle McLaughlin – Soccer
Elizabeth Greico – Track
Ednita Lorenzo- Soccer
Stephen Hill - Track
Hunter College:
Catherine Alves – Softball
Safiya Solomon – Volleyball
Carla McGregor – Swimming
Stephanie Alves – Softball
Jackie Frank – Softball
Jennifer Damroth – Softball
Medgar Evers College:
Nkosi Dick – Soccer
Alicia Wright – Track
Mouresa Grant – Tennis
Lennise Noralez – Volleyball
Shanequa Williams – Track
D'jaunae Stephenson Lewis – Track
Muhammad Akarim- Basketball
Natasha Davis- Tennis
Sharard Sullivan
John Jay College:
Baljit Kahlon - Track
Dayna Navatta – Softball
Parker Griffin – Basketball
City College:
Taya Zuyeva – Volleyball
Alexis Kinsman – Volleyball
Fermaria Joseph – Fencing (assistant coach)
Sarah Jafferali – Fencing
Jonathan Aguirre – Volleyball
Catherine Mariduena
Brooklyn College:
Jackie Szpunt
Baruch College:
Lizmarie Vasquez- Women’s Volleyball/Swimming
Kalea Davis- Basketball
City Tech:
Tempestt Casey