Mountain Lions make a visit to Emeritus Senior Living Center

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's basketball team took a few hours off of practice recently to embark on a community service project in the local area. The team visited Emeritus Senior Living at Broadmoor Assisted Living, located on the southwest part of Colorado Springs.

The essential purpose for the trip, according to head coach Corey Laster, was because "we wanted to have a chance to give back to the community. And two, we wanted them (the players) to have the experience of getting outside the privileges they have and be able to connect with people who are struggling with some illness, and realize that we have some responsibilities to the community."

Once at the Emeritus, the Mountain Lions divided into two groups to better assist and connect with the residents. The residents themselves are divided into two sections based on the severity of their Alzheimer's and Dementia. One group of the UCCS team went with the residents that are a bit more progressed in their illness, while the other group spent time with the residents that are not as progressed.

The team spent their day talking and sharing stories and engaging in some fun activities with the residents. One group spent some time painting the residents' nails and doing their hair. "The other half of us did some of their daily exercises and played some games.  It was a lot of fun," says sophomore center, Hannah Knight.

When asked what she personally got out of this experience, Knight responded by saying, "I had a lot of fun. I love elderly people. I think they are so wise and have so many stories. I love just sitting and chatting with them and learning about their life."

Hannah Knight and the rest of the UCCS women's basketball team looks to learn and grow from this experience as they begin preparation for their season opener on Friday, November 16 as they take on Oklahoma Panhandle State at the Adams State Bankers Classic.