News
Women's Basketball Supports Duchesne Program
11.12.07
Athletes from the women’s basketball team recently participated in The Bedford Challenge ropes course with teenage girls from the Coachman Family Center in White Plains. The purpose of the ropes course is to reinforce the importance of teamwork and to build leadership and communication skills. The athletes are participants in a Duchesne Center program called Ladies Room. Ladies Room is a discussion based program that brings together girls from the Coachman Family Center and connects them with female students at Manhattanville who act as mentors.
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“I think it is important for our students to participate in this program because I think young people need positive role models,” said the basketball team’s coach, Candice Brown. “While we were out at the Challenge the Coachman girls were very shy and reserved at first. As the day went on and my athletes were encouraging and pushing them, you could see that the girls were becoming more confident in their own strength and athleticism. They began to see that it is ok to be female and athletic. The support of a team atmosphere is always helpful to self esteem. Being out at the ropes course was a great experience for all who were involved and my team will be definitely be working with the Coachman girls again.”
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The ropes course is just one example of the different types of activities that Ladies Room sponsors. A student coordinator leads meetings with themed discussions usually concerning female issues. The Coachman girls also participate in indoor activities and can get help with homework. Ladies Room takes place on campus
every Wednesday from 5pm until 7pm.