The Princeton Varsity Club is proud to offer meaningful service opportunities for student-athletes across all varsity sports. Throughout this fall semester, the Tigers gave back to the Princeton community through a variety of initiatives highlighted below, which strive to promote our department’s mission of Education Through Athletics.
In December the Princeton Varsity Club supported Athletes in Action with their annual Teams and Toys gift drive. Each of the 38 Princeton varsity programs participated in this initiative, purchasing gifts for families and children in need this holiday season. The program then concluded with student-athletes coming together for the Teams & Toys gift wrapping party where they enjoyed festive t-shirts and music as they wrapped their presents. The 300+ gifts collected will be provided to local organizations like Community House, Catholic Charities, and Academic Success Today.
Additional photos from the Teams and Toys gift wrapping party can be viewed here.
Student-athletes also made several visits to local elementary schools to spend time with students this fall. Reading with the Tigers traveled to five schools, including each of the four Princeton elementary schools and Crosby Copeland Elementary in Trenton. More than 50 student-athletes participated in the readings, sharing silly children’s books and playing games with the younger students.
Johnson Park Elementary also welcomed Princeton student-athletes, as part of the official launch of the new Tiger Pals mentorship program. More than 40 student-athletes joined the program and formed groups with their teammates to help mentor a small cohort of 20 pre-identified students. Athletes visited the school once a month, to play games, lend a hand with school work, and enjoy snack time with their pals. The program then culminated with a special winter party, which brought each of the Tiger Pals to campus for a group scavenger hunt and a variety of crafts and games with their athletes in the Princeton Football Stadium.
Click here to view galleries from both Reading with the Tigers and the Tiger Pals winter party.
The Tigers also showcased their love for sports and camaraderie through two clinics hosted this semester. In September the Princeton Varsity Club hosted its annual PVC Youth Sports Clinic, bringing together more than 200 children in the community for an afternoon of fun and games with a variety of Tiger teams. The clinic included 10+ stations with the goal of exposing local children to different sports and providing them with opportunities to interact with and meet the Tigers. Then in October nearly 100 student-athletes hosted a field day event with Best Buddies Princeton. This event featured unique stations designed to promote friendship and inclusion among individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Photos from the PVC Youth Sports Clinic and Best Buddies Field Day can be viewed here.
Thank you to all of our PVC members who continue to provide Princeton student-athletes with opportunities to Achieve, Serve, and Lead through these community programs!
