In addition to defending conference championship titles in multiple sports, OU athletics holds more than meets the eye. Community involvement and charity work are core values of every OU team. 

“We perform any number of annual community service projects; I try to plan these according to our players’ interests, as well as university and athletic program directives,” head women’s volleyball coach Rob Beam said. “This year, we have adopted a player through Team IMPACT and am spending time with her and welcoming her into our family.”

From a coach’s point of view, these service projects attempt to expand the worldview of their athletes, as well as display the impact they can have on someone’s life, explained Beam.

However, assistant swim coach Shawn Kornoelje has a personal tie to community work. 

“For me growing up we were on Welfare, Aid for Dependent Children, they called it,” Kornoelje said. “So when we have a chance to make that difference, show we care about others around us, it makes it personal to me.”

From an athlete’s point of view, service is an opportunity to better the community surrounding them and to bring the team closer, explained junior Aaron Helander, a member of the men’s swimming and diving team.

“I get involved to make sure that I am making the most of my college experience,” Helander said. “I love meeting tons of new people and seeing doors open because of what I am involved with. It also makes life fun, I enjoy everything that I am involved with and wouldn’t want it any other way.”

One major way the swim team gives back is through a 12-year-old boy named Devin Wolbert, who has a heart defect that prevents him from participating in sports.

The Oakland swim team signed Wolbert to be a part of OU family. The team attended his birthday party and other family gatherings too.

“The most memorable moment I have was when Kyle Larson and I went and surprised Devin after his doctor appointment,” Helander said, “And seeing him cry tears of happiness, that is something I will never forget about.”

Every charity work stands out in its own way and leaves a lasting impact, Beam stated. 

“The two that standout to me are seeing the ‘sea of pink’, and feeling the emotion of breast cancer survivors and advocates, walk past the finish line for the first time at the Three-Day Walk,” Beam said. “As well as meeting the home owner of the house that we were building in Pontiac and having her shake each one of our hands.”

At the annual Mitten Toss basketball game, the swim team was ready to give 700 pairs of gloves and mittens to kids who needed them. Then, something memorable happened to Kornoelje involving a simple pair of gloves.  

“I gave a small boy a pair and told him on three we were going to throw them as far as we can,” Kornoelje said. “He un-balled the gloves, put them on, clapped his hands and showed me the gloves. Then walked away with a huge smile on his face.” 

Many colleges require athletic teams to participate in community work. At Oakland, it isn’t seen as a chore, but rather an opportunity to better the metro-Detroit area. 

“I think it is important for our program to work with our community partners,” Beam said. “A great sport program, or athletics as a whole, is a positive force that can influence individuals and communities.”