The Spalding University men's soccer team often refers to themselves as one big family. The players all came to Spalding from differing backgrounds but the one thing they all have in common is the compassion that they share for one another both on and off the soccer field. During their fall break, members of the soccer team and staff took time out of their busy schedules to visit Kosair Children's Hospital and spread their positivity and compassion for life with patients and their families.
 
Upon their arrival, coordinators from the Children's Hospital Foundation greeted the group. The Golden Eagles and staff then split into three groups and made their way onto different floors of the hospital to visit with patients and their families.
 
"It was great to see our players interacting with the young kids and helping make their day better by putting a smile on their face," said head coach Adam Boyer. "Initially I think our guys were nervous because it was a completely new situation for most, stepping out of their comfort zone a little bit. Those initial nerves went away once we spent time with the first child and it was a fun afternoon for everyone involved."
 
The amount of joy that the patients expressed was reflected upon by sophomore Jordan Bounds, "Never be afraid to give back to others in life. That's what the world needs more of, and to have the opportunity to put a smile on the faces of the children was priceless."
 
All of the players spent time signing autographs and exchanging stories with patients in multiple units. One group of the young men experienced an incident that they will surely remember forever. Sophomore Chris Muncy recalls what happened, "The best part of the day for me was when a boy named Andrew told us we would have good luck for the rest of our soccer season if we brought him one of our jackets." Muncy continued, "I looked at him and said 'we didn't bring any jackets, but you can have mine' and I took it off and gave it to him. The smile on Andrew's face made my day. Just to know that something to make him smile and get his mind off the things going on in his life, even if it was just for a moment, was a great feeling." The episode was distinguished by senior Tyler Glass as being "just another example of the love and compassion within our program."
 
"Take every opportunity to visit someone in need, because it gives you another way to look at life," said freshman Austin Lanham. "You really become grateful that you have the opportunity to be doing what you do."
 
Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only full-service, free-standing pediatric care facility dedicated exclusively to caring for children and is an advocate for the health and well-being of all children. The 263-bed hospital and its predecessor hospitals have cared, without regard to their families' ability to pay, for the children of Kentucky and Southern Indiana for more than a century.
 
"Visiting with the kids allowed us to do a great service for the community in giving back. No one wants to see young kids suffering, and it really pushes you to look within and re-evaluate how much effort you put into every thing you do. I hope it teaches a powerful lesson to our players," said coach James Kusak. "We have a great group of players; players we believe in, players we believe have a lot of potential, players who will succeed if they put in the work. Hopefully interacting with these kids will bring out the understanding that success is a combination of hard work, preparation and dedication while not forgetting to show compassion to those who surround you."