STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
Members of the Niagara University men’s basketball team visited the Women’s & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo on Monday during finals week.
The team has made several trips to the hospital in the last four years where the student-athletes interacted with the patients. Members of the team hoped to lift the spirits of those being treated, but the patients’ positive attitudes had a poignant impact on the student-athletes.
“The children’s hospital visit was a great experience for the team and me,” said Dominic Robb. “It makes you realize how lucky we are to be healthy and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. Interacting with them when we visited their rooms really showed it was an awesome thing we were doing.”
“Seeing kids go through very tough challenges every day, but still continue to keep a smile on their faces, is very uplifting and encouraging,” said Kevin Larkin.
“I attended the hospital with the intentions of inspiring the children to stay positive and put a smile on each of their faces, but in all actuality the children inspired me and kept me smiling the whole time,” said Chris Barton. “Even though all of the children had things that they were going through, they kept a smile on their faces. This experience taught me that I can’t go through life making excuses and complaining about things and I have those blessings from Buffalo Children’s Hospital to thank for that.”
Under head coach Chris Casey, the men’s basketball program has been extremely active within the local community. The team makes annual visits to the Community Missions of Niagara Frontier and has made numerous trips to the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club where it held clinics. The Purple Eagles have also volunteered at the Magdalene Project at St. George’s Church in Niagara Falls, New York and at the Porter Cup in Lewiston, New York.
