SU Hosts Field Day for Dove Pointe Clients
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Health and Sport Sciences Department recently hosted an inaugural Field Day for some 100 clients of Dove Pointe, a Salisbury-based organization that provides a wide-range of services for individuals with disabilities.
Some 30 students from SU’s athletic training, exercise science and community health programs assisted.
“It’s incredibly important for our students to be able to understand the physical and wellness needs of diverse populations, as well as how to communicate with clients, and this was a fun and real-life way to do that,” said Dr. Meredith Madden, an athletic training faculty member who was inspired to coordinate the event.
In addition to a visit from Sammy the Sea Gull, participants engaged in activities including a 100m dash, 4x200m relay race, broad jump, soccer ball kick, softball toss and bocce ball.
“Some of our Dove Pointe clients were having so much fun that they couldn’t pick a favorite event,” Madden said. “I am so proud of our students for their enthusiasm and participation. There was excitement in the air all day.”
The event was attended by Dove Pointe Executive Director Don Hackett and Dr. Kelly Fiala, transitional dean of SU’s new College of Health and Human Services. Numerous SU faculty and Dove Pointe staff also assisted, Madden said, including track and field coach Jim Jones and Dr. Dean Ravizza, who teaches adapted physical education. In addition, the SU Foundation, Inc., and Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore provided support.
“Service learning is an important part of teaching,” Madden said, adding that for athletic training and other health care professions, accreditation standards encourage demonstrating care with different populations, such as those with disabilities.
“The more that we can engage our students, and provide them with experiences where they interact with their client or patient populations, the more impactful those lessons will be,” she said.
For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.