Making the Grade
The Austin College women’s swimming and diving team was honored by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America as a Scholar All-America team. The ’Roos, coached by Bob Filander, were one of four SCAC women’s programs to earn this honor that recognizes teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The ’Roos boast a team GPA of 3.27.
Doing Something Remarkable
An Austin College men’s basketball team trip to Costa Rica in summer 2014 saw victories on the court but even more important victories were to come. While in Costa Rica, team members volunteered with a nonprofit organization that assists underprivileged children.
Moved by the experience, teammates Cody Meyers ’17, Josh Dickerman ’17, and Jeremy Swisher ’17, pictured below, determined to continue serving others. The young men all had witnessed the extreme toll of life-threatening illnesses upon families; they combined their interests and strengths to establish The Extra Step Foundation.
Partnering with Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, the teammates have offered assistance to 30 families through funds raised in their own summer jobs and from donations from friends and families. Through the foundation, they have donated $12,000 to families struggling to meet their regular expenses and the medical costs of their children’s illnesses. Financial help, however, is not the end of the young men’s interaction; they offer moral support and other encouragement. “The kids are the motivating factor and the biggest reason that we created this organization,” Cody said. “Putting a smile on the faces of these families that are struck with bad news on a daily basis has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.”
Jeremy, who plans to become a physician and continue to help others, said that assisting these families has had profound impact on his life. “This experience with The Extra Step Foundation showed me that you do not have to wait on your dreams,” he said. “You can really have an impact on people’s lives at any stage in your own life. As John Green said, ‘What’s the point of being alive, if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?’ This quote has served as my inspiration.”
Josh, too, hopes the foundation is able to continue long term—but knows his own experiences working with the families will remain with him forever. “We aren’t able to offer these families a lot of money, but their reaction to our donation is really special. I feel we are making a change in the community, and that’s a great feeling.” For more information, visit The Extra Step Foundation.
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