July 25, 2008

*Articles provided by Kim Hamby, University of the Cumberlands sports information student assistant

Patriot Swimmer Gives Back

A true team captain at the collegiate level should not only succeed during competition but should also be a positive leader and inspiration during day-to-day activities. Former senior swim captain Laurie Skaggs (Tullahoma, TN) possessed these characteristics for the University of the Cumberlands Women’s Swim team and was capable of accomplishment both in and out of the pool.

Skaggs qualified and competed every year at the NAIA National Tournament as one of the Patriots top women’s swimmers during her four year collegiate career. However, she also found time to give back to the sport of swimming, as well as participate in numerous other community service activities.

Throughout the school year, Skaggs and the rest of her fellow UC teammates were involved with teaching area children how to swim in Cumberlands’ indoor pool. Skaggs can remember her first time learning how to swim and how important it was to be taught the proper way. She finds it very enjoyable to be a part of these experiences and is able to share her skill and knowledge with other individuals.

Skaggs also volunteered her time at her local church as a Sunday School teacher to children aged six to eight, as well as a youth leader. “Being able to teach the children such an important life element as religion is very important to me,” states Skaggs.

Upon graduating from Cumberlands, Skaggs plans to attend Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee and concentrate on Osteopathic Medical School.  However, Skaggs has high hopes of continuing to be involved in various service activities. “Participating in community service events not only helps those individuals that you are doing it for, but it also helps boost yourself up and feel grateful for everything that you have,” adds Skaggs. “In the end, when you see all of the people’s faces that you have helped, it is all worth it.”

Skaggs graduated from UC with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She has been accepted in to the Health Professionals Scholarship Program from the United States’ Navy, which will pay for medical school. “Once I have finished my residency, I will serve as a doctor in the Navy for a four year time period,” explains Skaggs.

UC’s Silverman Pitches for Community Leadership

In today’s society, college and professional athletes are often idolized by children and sports fans everywhere. However, only a select few of these athletes act in such a way that they can truly be classified as role models for kids. The University of the Cumberlands is proud to have so many of these athletes represent the school every day, especially former baseball senior Jonathan Silverman (Kettering, OH).

Not only was Silverman able to perform on the baseball diamond as one of Cumberlands top pitchers, but he also selflessly served his community in numerous ways. During his spring breaks over the last four years, Silverman has helped to build and remodel little league baseball fields for his local community. By simply volunteering his time to perform these activities, he has allowed many young children to enjoy the sport they love so much and to continue to pursue their dream of playing ball while staying close to home.

Silverman has also contributed to the relief effort for the thousands of individuals and families that were affected by hurricane Katrina. He has worked diligently at collecting various food items as well as supplies that families are still in desperate need of.

Another example of Silverman’s contribution to the sport of baseball has been his voluntary coaching efforts for a little league team in Cheyenne, Wyoming. During the summers of 2006 and 2007, Silverman played for the Cheyenne Grizzlies, which are in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League, and spent his free time coaching children in a local baseball league. Having a positive role model in each of these children’s lives is extremely meaningful at their age as they learn to balance baseball with the rest of things that life throws at them.

Silverman has also served the University of the Cumberlands by participating in UC’s insight program for the last two years as a “Star” to freshman students. This program allows underclassman to smoothly transition into the college lifestyle with the aid of a faculty member and an upperclassman answering various questions and simply being a friendly face around campus. Silverman also worked to bring a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta (the Pre-Med National Honor Society) to UC.

With all of these activities on his plate, Silverman still found time to be a student athletic trainer for Patriot athletics. He amassed over 300 community service hours just from working in the athletic training room. Silverman accomplished all of this while still maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom.

“I believe it is important to be involved in the community because nothing you do is solely a reflection of you,” comments Silverman. “Any accomplishments you may garner, any recognition you receive, and success you may experience is the accumulation of all of those who have helped you along the way. No person has ever achieved amazing things working and living in a vacuum. Without the support, guidance and opportunity provided by those around you, each of us would achieve nothing beyond ourselves. Taking part in community service not only allows me to give back to all of those who have helped me along the way, it also allows me to impart what little knowledge I have on someone, who may then provide something to the community far greater than the contributions I will ever make.”

Silverman graduated in May with a double major in Biology and Psychology. He served as a pitcher and conference starter each year at Cumberlands and plans to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine.

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