Valkyries Among Top 10 in Nation for Community Service

During the 2017-2018 academic year, Converse College student-athletes and athletics staff have been busy giving back to the community. With the support of a volunteer time management program called Helper Helper, the Valkyries reported more than 3,700 hours of service this year, and were recognized as the sixth highest-reporting Division II athletic program in the United States for completion of community service hours.

Several of the Converse Valkyrie teams also ranked in the Top 10 overall for their respective sport as part of the Helper Helper program. Volleyball led the way with a second place team finish and a total of 1,113 hours of service. Converse basketball and golf were both ranked third in teams, followed by tennis, softball, track and soccer.

Converse instills within students a desire to make our world a better place, and the leadership and example set by Converse coaches is instrumental in the effort. Just last month, head Basketball Coach Dean Walsh participated in the 2018 Spartanburg County Special Olympics  Walsh volunteered as Master of Ceremonies for the event, held at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and enjoyed bonding with participants throughout his hours of service.

“It was a special honor to emcee the Special Olympics”, Walsh said. “It’s a fun way to spend the day, watching the athletes compete not only to win, but to have fun while competing. Seeing the joy on each individuals’ face was priceless, and I thank everyone involved for allowing me to be a part of it.”

Over this past year, Converse Athletics teams volunteered at the Spartanburg County Humane Society, Spartanburg Regional Foundation Thanksgiving “Blessings in a Box” for Hospice Families in the Upstate, Spartanburg Junior Tennis Team League, First Presbyterian Church coat drive, and Jesse S. Bobo Elementary School.