Mission Statement:
To unite children of the Upper Valley with Dartmouth student-athletes through a free, organized and fun sports league. Through sport, Athletes United will provide the children with a positive extracurricular activity that builds confidence, friendships, and mentor-mentee relationships, while developing their athletic skills.
Background:
Athletes United (AU) was created by Dartmouth Women’s Varsity Soccer Players Myra Sack ’10 and Becky Poskin ’09. Desiring to make sports accessible to all Upper Valley kids and concerned that registration fees at Dartmouth camps and clinics precluded some children from participating, AU provides a competitive recreational sports environment for young children in the Upper Valley—entirely free of charge. In addition, Athletes United expands Dartmouth student-athletes’ visibility in the community, connecting them to Upper Valley children as role models and mentors. To date, Athletes United has completed five successful seasons. The AU model accommodates both the rigors of varsity-athletes’ schedules and the transportation obstacle for Upper Valley families. Each week, Dartmouth athletes travel to designated Upper Valley communities to run practices. Then, each Sunday, participants come to Dartmouth for “Game Day,” enjoying friendly competition and camaraderie with children from across the Upper Valley.
Welcome to the official blog of Athletes United at Dartmouth College. We strive to bring together Dartmouth student-athletes with local youth in a free sports league, teaching valuable life lessons through athletics.
Background
Athletes United (AU) was created by Dartmouth Women’s Varsity Soccer Players Myra Sack ’10 and Becky Poskin ’09. Desiring to make sports accessible to all Upper Valley kids and concerned that registration fees at Dartmouth camps and clinics precluded some children from participating, AU provides a competitive recreational sports environment for young children in the Upper Valley—entirely free of charge. In addition, Athletes United expands Dartmouth student-athletes’ visibility in the community, connecting them to Upper Valley children as role models and mentors. To date, Athletes United has completed five successful seasons. The AU model accommodates both the rigors of varsity-athletes’ schedules and the transportation obstacle for Upper Valley families. Each week, Dartmouth athletes travel to designated Upper Valley communities to run practices. Then, each Sunday, participants come to Dartmouth for “Game Day,” enjoying friendly competition and camaraderie with children from across the Upper Valley.
Sponsored by the Dartmouth Class of 1972
Athletes United is proud and pleased to announce that the Dartmouth Class of 1972 made us the recipient of their class gift this year. With the '72's generous contribution we now have an operating budget that will help institutionalize Athletes United and foster its growth into a permanent volunteer opportunity. The Upper Valley community looks forward with enthusiasm to the opening of AU's spring season. Meetings are already underway with the directors of local recreation departments to plan beyond this school year. Give a rouse to the Class of 1972!
Contact Us
Contact Athletes United via the comments section on this blog, or e-mail us at AthletesUnited@dartmouth.edu