The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer makes trip to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville
08.31.2008 | Soccer
Aug. 31, 2008
- Video
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Between matches at Kentucky and Louisville, the University of Texas soccer team took some time away from the pitch to visit Louisville's Kosair Children's Hospital. Armed with soccer balls and posters the team was ready to spread a little joy as proud ambassadors of the University of Texas.
Kosair, located in the heart of Louisville, houses 236 beds and is Kentucky's only free-standing, full-service pediatric care facility that sees over 100,000 children pass through its doors every year. The squad split up into groups of six and each visited a different floor of the eight-story hospital.
From the pediatric cancer center to the neonatal intensive care unit, the team was able to bring a little happiness to the children and served as a welcomed distraction. Senior Kasey Moore's group started the day in the pediatric emergency room and the experience turned out to be more than they had expected.
"The kids were just so happy to see us and to have such a big group of visitors," said Moore. "The experience was really humbling and I don't think any of us expected to get as emotional as we did when we got down there. I think it showed us that there is something bigger than soccer out there for us."
Not only were the girls putting smiles on children's faces, but the visit also made an impact on the parents. Lynnie Meyer, Chief Development Officer of the Children's Hospital Foundation, continually organizes these visits to provide some variety in the patient's days and boost the families' morale.
"I think anytime we can bring in guests that help elevate the mood for both kids and parents, it's important," said Meyer. "It makes such a big difference on these kids to get them excited and focused on something beside their illness. For the team too, beyond the children, the benefit is realizing that there is another world out here and a lot is happening in the community."
Meyer also knows that the impact of these visits will last long beyond the hours that the team got to spend with the patients.
"I think the children that we see here will remember this visit for a long time," Meyer added. " They'll remember their stay at the children's hospital and the fact that it was highlighted by someone who cared enough to come and take time to say hello and spread a little bit of joy."
Sophomore Alisha Ortiz was part of Meyer's group that visited the pediatric cancer center. The kids in this particular unit varied in age from newborns to 17-year-olds and included quite a few soccer fans.
"It was a really good experience," said Ortiz. "Being able to talk to these kids, who you could tell were really excited to see us and get an autographed soccer ball, was amazing. There were a lot of kids that you could tell were less fortunate and it makes you really think that we take a lot of things for granted."
Like Meyer, Ortiz quickly realized the impact of the team's visit and the effect of the visit on the players.
"I think it will show the team how good it is to do this type of community service," Ortiz added. "It shows us that we have a bigger influence than we think on children and people in the community. People look up to us and it made us realize that we do have an influence on people."
"I hope we are making an impact," Moore said. "If this helps just a little bit and makes a kid feel better for even just an hour, then I think coming here was a success."
UT, fresh off a 3-1 victory at Kentucky, wraps up its road trip with a match at Louisville, Sunday, Aug. 31 at noon Central.
