Eureka Women's Basketball Pays Visit to Maple Lawn Homes
EUREKA, Ill.- On the eve of its first practice of the 2013-14
season, the Eureka College women's basketball team paid a visit to
Eureka's Maple Lawn Homes, Monday night. The Red Devils
participated in a variety of activities with the residents of the
nonprofit Christian retirement community on the north edge of town
in Eureka, Illinois.
"Community service is very important to our program," first-year
head coach Victoria
Jones said Tuesday. "It helps us engage and
connect with people and organizations all over our community. In
return, it helps with the shaping of our young ladies' character
and values. It gives them an opportunity to provide a service and
make a positive difference in people's lives."
The Red Devils visited with and participated in a variety of
activities with nearly two dozen residents, including foam
basketball, songs and dances.
"By giving back to the community, it truly demonstrates how
important the Eureka community means to us," Jones continued. "We
realize all the support we receive from the community throughout
the year and we like to give back our time in return. The
experience at Maple Lawn was rewarding and it made me feel proud as
a coach to see all the smiles around the room as the players and
staff spent time allowing the residents to share, laugh, shoot
hoops, dance, and for some, have the best day of their life."
The Red Devils will begin preseason practice Tuesday night at the
Reagan Center, the first official practice date for NCAA Division
III basketball programs. Eureka is in search of its third
consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Tournament appearance and its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid.
The Red Devils will return four starters and eight letterwinners
from last season's 16-9 squad.
COURTESY OF EUREKA SPORTS INFORMATION
