A Value-Driven Approach
The 2020-2021 academic year at Western is clearly different for everyone due to COVID-19. But Mustang athletics has been working hard to move forward safely during the pandemic, while still living the Mustang motto of “Good People, Good Students, Good Athletes” in that order.
We are still practicing and competing in some scrimmages even though most of our competitions will be in the spring. And we are working hard in the classroom with each team’s GPA goal is set at 3.0-plus.
Because Mustang athletics had more time than usual during the fall semester, we have been helping our community more than ever.
Our Mustang volleyball team partnered with the Sweetwater County YWCA to string lights around the trees along Dewar Drive, for Domestic Violence Awareness month in October. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, almost 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States alone. In the span of a year, this adds up to more than 10 million people.
Not only is this a worthy cause, but it helped our volleyball team connect with community members. These activities allow us to give back to the people who support us during our season, whether they are parents, fans, or boosters. These activities helps us show them how much we appreciate them.
Our head volleyball coach, Fredann Soto, received a note from a person involved in the project stating:
“I want to take a minute to thank the Western Wyoming Community College volleyball girls for helping put up the purple lights and purple ribbons on Dewar Drive this evening. My daughter was a victim of domestic violence last December and it means a lot to me to have women come out and support our cause. God bless all of you and thank you again.”
Our teams frequently receive messages of appreciation from the folks in our community, and it truly is a testament to the character of our athletes and helps the athletes see firsthand that they are making a difference. All Mustang athletes pitched in, and we completed over 12 community service projects in the fall 2020 semester.
Our athletes are doing their part, and they always embrace giving back and helping whenever possible. They enjoy giving and being role models for our community.
