MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho soccer team bought in prior to the 2015 season, leading to the most successful campaign in program history. The team bought into head coach Derek Pittman's new formation. The team bought into the grueling training schedule. The team bought into the core values and what it really means to be a Vandal.
And now the team is literally buying into itself, by becoming full members of the Vandal Scholarship Fund (VSF).
“This is probably the first time that an entire team has given back,” said Emily Adams, VSF Development Coordinator.
“We wanted to make sure our players and our team as a whole understand what VSF means to them and how thankful we are that there are so many donors and alums that are willing to give to the Vandal Scholarship Fund in order for us to have the privilege and opportunity to do what we do,” said head soccer coach Derek Pittman.
The VSF provides scholarship and program support to all 16 intercollegiate athletic programs at the University of Idaho. The annual goal is to fully fund the scholarships that provide a world class academic and athletic experience for all of Idaho's student-athletes.
Donating is easy and can be done at a number of different levels. For the women of the soccer team, it was not just about the money total, but rather the commitment to the program and the athletic department as a whole.
“If we have full participation, it means we're fully invested in our program,” said freshman defender Kelly Dopke. “We hope that others will see that and see that we're really coming together and that we really care about this program.”
“One of our core values is about giving back to the community,” Pittman said. “We feel very strongly that our community is here on campus and in the athletic department. We wanted to make sure that we set a precedent and a tradition of our athletes always being willing to give back. Sometimes that comes in very small ways, but it matters ultimately.”
“The whole idea behind it is to increase the participation from former student-athletes with the VSF,” Adams said. “We're hoping to get other teams on board too. Hopefully, the athletes will do this for their four years in Moscow, then get used to it and understand it and stay on board when they graduate and move on. It just creates a new culture with our student-athletes and how they give back to the next generation of Vandals.”
This group of Vandals sees no reason to stop, and expects to continue the dedication to the program for years to come.
“We set the standard that if they're involved now, hopefully they will remain involved, and get more involved, for years to come,” said Pittman. “Hopefully it will be a tradition that our players buy into and understand that we're supporting other athletes and the success of the Vandals as a whole.”
“I think giving back is really important,” said junior midfielder Alyssa Lloyd. “I've thought about it, I think I'll keep up with the Vandal Scholarship Fund for as long as I can.”
“I think it's a great thing to start early,” said Dopke. “Since we're starting now and contributing every month it will end up leading to greater things in the future. Maybe not while we're here, but for future Vandals to have some opportunities that maybe we didn't have.”
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
