Aug. 28, 2008

DeKALB - For the fourth year in a row, members of the Northern Illinois track and field team volunteered their time with the DeKalb Kiwanis at Corn Fest, over the weekend.

Head Coach Connie Teaberry and her team clipped, shucked, cooked and distributed corn in three shifts on the second day of the festival. The Huskies work benefited the DeKalb Kiwanis' efforts to help children in need.

"Anything raised benefits children in poverty, and I really like that concept," Teaberry said. "It's something I want our girls to be involved in."

Teaberry also commended the team-building aspect of volunteering at the event.

"It's the first community service we do, and it eases the freshmen's tensions of not knowing any one," Teaberry said. "Right of the bat, it teaches us how to work together as a team."

Every member of the team participated, including the newcomers. Because school hadn't started when they volunteered, the freshmen weren't officially NIU student-athletes, and so were not allowed to work. Instead, they volunteered their time playing with children at the event. Several even dressed up in a giant corn costume as part their day.

For their efforts, the track and field team will receive points in the Resource Bank Challenge of Champions. The challenge is a department wide game played by all sports teams, cheerleaders and Huskie interns that encompasses the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills five commitment areas: academic excellence, athletic excellence, personal development, career development and service. Teams earn points by attending and participating in activities that reflect these goals.