The ECAC Internship and Mentoring Initiative: Connecting Student-Athletes with Children at Youth Organizations through Recreational Activities
Cape Cod, Mass. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)
Associate Commissioner for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman
Administrator Dea Shipps is pleased to announce the implementation
of the ECAC Internship and Mentoring Initiative. The ECAC
Internship and Mentoring Initiative is a pilot program dedicated to
connecting ECAC member student-athletes with youth organizations
that provide recreational opportunities to underserved children in
Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Student-athletes are able
to choose from a wide variety of internship and mentoring
opportunities while enhancing the diversity programming and
educational outreach of member institutions.
The reception of the initiative among youth organizations in
Washington D.C. and Baltimore has been tremendous. These
organizations offer children an opportunity to participate in a
wide range of sports including soccer, lacrosse, and rowing, often
free of charge. The ECAC has effectively facilitated the
relationship between student-athletes and youth organizations to
develop opportunities that are tailored to match the level of
commitment that student-athletes are able to provide within the
framework of each organization’s unique program design and
mission statement.
The ECAC has initiated a partnership between two
student-athletes from the George Washington men’s rowing
team, Dominic Abruzzee and Karel Bryukhanov, and the Capital Rowing
Club (CRC). CRC is a non-profit organization that provides the
community of Anacostia River and the greater Washington D.C. area
with an opportunity to row under the leadership of President Kelley
O’Connell.
O’Connell expressed her eagerness to participate in the
initiative: “CRC is excited the club was offered the
opportunity to partake in the inaugural ECAC Internship and
Mentoring Initiative.” She noted the integral role the
student-athletes will serve as coaches of the youth Learn to Row
summer camps. In addition to coaching youth rowers, O’Connell
shared that “Karel and Dominic will also have the opportunity
to coach the adaptive rowing program at CRC. This is a program
designed to provide rowing opportunities to wounded military
veterans… as part of their physically therapy.” The
internship will provide a tremendous experience for the
student-athletes while making an outstanding contribution to the
greater community of Washington D.C.
The ECAC is committed to expanding the initiative by enhancing the participation of student-athletes among all member institutions in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area. The ECAC also plans to offer additional mentoring and internship opportunities at youth organizations throughout the Northeast in the future. If you are interested in partaking in the initiative or have any questions please contact Mary Conway at 508-771-5060 ext. 235 or mconway@ecac.org.
