“On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at
all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.”
With right hands raised and three fingers extended, the Lady Vols
volleyball team joined nearly 200 local girl scouts in the reciting of
their promise. The wide-eyed scouts looked up at the Lady Vols with
admiration and respect; they had found new role models.
The Tanasi Girl Scout Council, which received a Girls’ Sports Initiative
Grant this summer, has set up an extensive sports program with the Lady
Vols. The contract is part of a nationwide initiative of the Girls Scouts
of the United States of America (GSUSA) to build girls’ interest in sports.
The organization hopes that through participation in athletics, the girls
will not only have better fitness but also increased self-esteem.
“Clearly the benefits of good health and exercise can not be
overestimated,” said Lucille Griffo, executive director of the Tanasi
Council.
The “Lady Vols Sports Clinic ’97” was held Sunday, Sept. 28, at Alumni Gym
and drew 192 girl scouts and their families from as far away as Morristown
and Crossville. The event was the first of many Lady Vol sports days that
will give the girl scouts a chance to spectate, play and interact with all
of Tennessee’s female athletes.
The volleyball clinic began with workshops on health, fitness and
leadership, led by volleyball trainers Heather Luke and Zenos Deschamps.
The girls were instructed on proper nutrition and took part in a series of
training exercises. The importance of maintaining good health and achieving
academic success were emphasized throughout the day.
After the workshops and a brief practice session, the girls cheered the
Lady Vols to a three-game victory over Mississippi. The climax of the day
was no doubt the coaching that the girl scouts received from the team
members immediately following the game. With sweat still dripping from
their flushed faces, the dedicated Lady Vols passed down their volleyball
skills and patiently instructed the scouts.
“It was really great to be able to share our knowledge of the game with the
girl scouts,” said Christina Jestila, sophomore outside hitter.
The day ended with an autograph session where the scouts got posters of
their new role models. Alumni Gym was overflowing with anxious girls eager
to have the Lady Vols sign everything from tee-shirts to sneakers. Watching
little rosy-cheek girls wrap their arms around the 6-foot tall volleyball
players in respect and love was proof of the day’s success.
“When the girls came around asking for hugs, we knew we had done a good
thing,” Jestila said. “Everyone was happy.”
The day was clearly a success for all parties involved. Charlie Taylor, a
marketing graduate assistant, set up the event and was impressed with the
turnout and enthusiasm expressed by all. He said he was pleased with the
program and hopes to continue improving the girl scouts sports days.
Judging by the wide smiles on the scouts as they skipped out of Alumni Gym,
they could not have been happier with their experience.
“Our girls had an absolutely fabulous time,” said Sheila Fessenbecker,
communications director for the Tanasi Girl Scout Council. “They have never
been exposed to anything like this before. Charlie Taylor and the Lady Vols
were wonderful.”
The Lady Vols relationship with the girls scouts will continue to
strengthen as they will participate in many more sports days with other
teams. The program will conclude with a second Girl Scout Sports Day to be
held in the spring with all the Lady Vol athletes.
By participating in events such as these, the Lady Vols are able to give
something back to the community that loves and supports them.
Of course it’s always possible the 6-year-old girl scout who ran around the
gym with a tee-shirt down to her ankles may be a future star for
Tennessee’s volleyball team.
