WILMINGTON, N.C. – Members of the UNC Wilmington women’s basketball team recently visited Williston Middle School to work with the school’s Adapted Physical Education program.

The visit was organized by senior forward Becca Papach, who is currently working with the APE program, which provides athletic-based opportunities to students with special needs. Papach, along with sophomore teammates Greta Luksyte, Casey Sawhook and Candace Walker, assistant coach Jimmy Garrity and support staff member Mike Merrill, conducted a skills demonstration for the group and set up basketball skill stations that allowed it to interact with the players and staff in a one-on-one environment.

“You’d be surprised how much you learn about yourself when working with such a wonderful group of kids,” Papach said. “I am truly thankful to my fellow Seahawks who took time out of their busy schedules to help make a difference in these students’ lives.”

The visit is just one of a variety of community-service projects that the women’s basketball team has engaged in during 2007-08. The team has also been involved in such activities as UNCW’s Reading Rocks and Seahawks Tomorrow programs, the CAA Blood Drive, Adopt a Highway, Relay for Life and the Domestic Violence Shelter’s Adopt a Family initiative.

“It is important for our program to give back to a community that continues to provide tremendous support to our team,” UNCW Head Coach Ann Hancock said. “Our team has been able to take part in a wide variety of community-service activities this season that have enriched both the lives of those we are helping and our lives as well.” -Courtesy UNCW Sports Information