This past Saturday, January 27, MARA collaborated with Coquillard Elementary Schools, the Hawkins Family Foundation, and the University of Notre Dame to take 40 students and 5 teachers/parents to a Notre Dame Men’s Basketball game. Before the game, the students were given a tour of the library by 17 Notre Dame student volunteers from the Program of Liberal Studies and the Center for Social Concerns. The college student volunteers creatively engaged with the Coquillard students by preparing a scavenger hunt, which introduced the library and the academic mission of the University. Following the tour, the students ate lunch at the Center for Social Concerns and discussed what it means to be a champion student and athlete. The fieldtrip concluded at the Purcell Pavilion where the students and chaperones watched the Notre Dame Men’s basketball team play the Boston College Eagles. Notre Dame Athletics graciously featured the Coquillard contingent on Jumbotron and arranged a visit with the Leprechaun at halftime.
Everyone had a wonderful time. The students enjoyed the tour and champion discussion as much as they enjoyed the basketball game! A number of Notre Dame administrators were involved in planning the trip and are scheduling a time to develop an institutional process for future school field trips.
