Marshall University Athletics
Men's Basketball Team Visits Ronald McDonald House, Patients at Cabell Huntington Hospital
9/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 4, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Members of the Marshall men's basketball team and staff paid a visit to the Ronald McDonald House on Tuesday and spent some time with sick children at Cabell Huntington Hospital as part of the Thundering Herd's community service efforts.
"As part of a coaching staff, (our goal) is to help these guys grow in a lot of different ways," first-year Marshall coach Donnie Jones said of his team. "Growing off the court is just as important as growing on the court.
"Especially since this community supports this program and Marshall, I think it is great to come in and hopefully make a difference in these kids' lives here today."
The Ronald McDonald House serves as a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children that enables them to remain together and function as a family in an environment of love, strength and support. The Herd players and coaches took a tour of the facility before walking to Cabell Huntington Hospital to visit with the patients whose families are currently living at the Ronald McDonald House.
Senior guard Mark Dorris, like many of his teammates, was emotionally touched by his experience on Tuesday.
"It was nice to get in the community and spend some time with the kids," Dorris said. "It is really touching to see their spirit and how they are still happy regardless of their circumstances.
"It's definitely emotional and at the same time, it is highly motivational. I'm going to use that through the whole season to motivate me. I'm just happy to be in this position to put a smile on someone's face."
Shane Henderson, whose daughter Brittany is a patient at Cabell Huntington Hospital, had this to say following the Herd's visit. "I think events like this make a big difference," he said. "They build up the morale around the community anyway, so it probably helps the ball team too. When you do things like this for the community, it always helps out."
"It is really wonderful when the Marshall athletes, people who are highly visible in the community, take the time to visit our house and our children who are hospitalized," Tanyia Oakley, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House, said. "It's no fun being sick and in the hospital, so it can certainly be a bright spot in the day of the kids and the families to meet some people they idolize and see on TV."
