By Mike McGrawExecutive DirectorZionsville High School has obtained quite a reputation in recent years for the public service performed by the Eagles’ athletic teams. The school has an active leadership program for athletes, and the Zionsville girls tennis team earned widespread recognition for its efforts in support of breast cancer research.
This past season, one Zionsville team entered into a service project that took on a life of its own. In the process, it changed the lives of not only a large number of inner-city Indianapolis youth but those of the Zionsville players as well.
In the winter of 2008, first-year girls soccer coach Ramon Aguillen attended a meeting of a local service organization and came away convinced his troops needed to do something to help in the community. Through discussions with the father of one of his players, he was connected with a westside Indianapolis church that was attempting to strengthen an athletic program for its youth.
One thing led to another, and Aguillen hatched the idea of having his players provide soccer instruction to the mostly Hispanic youth membership of the church. The coach took his idea to the players, and that was when things started to soar past anything he had envisioned.
The girls decided not only to add an equipment drive to the idea but also to host a full-fledged soccer camp for the church youth. Through their efforts, enough equipment was gathered to supply nearly everyone at the camp with some sort of assistance.
When, in July, it came time for the actual camp, the turnout was more than anything anyone had dreamed. Nearly 45 children showed up on the first day of the activity. By the end of the week, that number had swelled to nearly 100.
For the girls from Zionsville, what had begun as a service project evolved into an experience few of them will ever forget. That this would become an annual event was a foregone conclusion before the initial camp ever ended.
Hoosier Authority sat down with both coach Aguillen and two of his players. Their comments make it clear they believe they were the ultimate beneficiaries of the effort.
We hope you find it as heartwarming as we did …