ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming College student-athletes are finding a new way to make an impact in the Rock Springs community, one breakfast at a time.
Through a new initiative called Breakfast Buddies, Mustangs and Lady Mustangs student-athletes are spending time with local elementary students before the school day begins, building relationships and offering encouragement outside of their usual roles on the basketball court, soccer field and wrestling mat.
The program was brought to Western by Athletic Director Ruthanne Duffy, who introduced Breakfast Buddies after seeing the impact it had at her previous school in Virginia. Duffy helped establish the program there approximately five or six years ago in collaboration with a former college volleyball player who later became her assistant coach while also teaching at an elementary school.
The idea was to create an opportunity for college student-athletes to connect with younger students in a meaningful way without interrupting classroom instruction.
Breakfast Buddies pairs athletic teams with local elementary schools for regularly scheduled visits. During those visits, student-athletes sit with the children during breakfast, talk with them and get to know them. By returning to the same schools on consistent days, the athletes become familiar faces the students can look forward to seeing each week.
Duffy said the relationships that developed through the program in Virginia became something both the elementary students and college athletes anticipated. She also saw some of the student-athletes develop an interest in pursuing careers in education after experiencing the program.
After seeing those connections firsthand, Duffy wanted to bring the same opportunity to Western and the surrounding community.
As someone new to the area, Duffy said, “Building connections within our community is important to me. Our student-athletes have an opportunity to contribute to Rock Springs beyond their sports, and this gives them a consistent way to connect with local students and families.”
All Western Wyoming College athletic programs are participating in the initiative, bringing together student-athletes from men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s wrestling.
The visits are coordinated around team schedules, travel and competitions, with each program working alongside its partner elementary school to maintain consistency.
The first visit took place with the Lady Mustangs basketball team at Sage Elementary on Nov. 2. The students quickly welcomed their new visitors, with freshman women’s basketball player Mikell Keetch even receiving a friendship bracelet during the visit.
Knowing that someone is going to show up, sit with them, and take an interest in their lives can mean a lot
— Ruthanne Duffy
For Duffy, those small moments are part of what makes the program meaningful. She hopes students leave breakfast feeling noticed, encouraged and excited about their day, knowing there are college student-athletes who are interested in getting to know them.
She also hopes the experience gives Western’s athletes a greater appreciation for the influence they can have beyond their respective sports.
Through Breakfast Buddies, Western hopes to strengthen its connection with Rock Springs families while giving elementary students and college athletes an opportunity to learn from one another.
