U Of New Orleans Men’s Team Joints ‘Fight The Blight’ Volunteer Day

NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans men’s basketball team joined roughly 500 other volunteers in participating in Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s fourth “”Fight the Blight”” volunteer day this past weekend.

A partnership between the City of New Orleans, local neighborhood organizations, non-profits and volunteers throughout the city, the goal of ‘Fight the Blight’ is to eradicate blight areas within a five-block radius open schools, playgrounds and high-traffic commercial areas.

As part of this program, the UNO basketball team and coaching staff were split into two different groups.

The first group was responsible for street cleaning, cutting grass, trash removal and demolition on Orleans Avenue. A few miles away, the second group was tasked with cleaning and repainting the outdoor basketball court at Kerry Curley playground in New Orleans East, while also repairing a retaining wall in the playground.

“This was a really rewarding experience for our team and staff, said UNO head men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger. “It allowed us to work hand-in-hand with many other service groups from around the city.”

“We really grew as a team and were humbled and honored to improve the quality of life in New Orleans East. It means so much for us to give back to the city that we all love. Every day, our team has to renew our commitment to our team, campus and city. I know there is not a win-loss category for great time or life experiences, but if there was, this was definitely a huge win.”

The project is one of several community serve efforts that the team has engaged in under the lead of Slessinger, in his first year as head men’s basketball coach at UNO.

A few weeks ago, the men’s basketball program participated in another ServeNOLA event onSept. 11 at Engine House No. 9 and have several other initiatives planned.

In addition to the community service, Slessinger and some his players have spoken before different groups across UNO’s campus, as well as taking part in meetings at local civic organizations.

Organizations and civic groups interested in having Slessinger and/or members of his team attend; please contact UNO Director of Athletic Media Relations Jason Plotkin at (504) 280-6284 or [email protected]

QUOTES FROM UNO MEN’s BASKETBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES REGARDING FIGHT THE BLIGHT

“My favorite part was the people in the neighborhood and how happy they were to see us out there cleaning stuff up.” – Junior Albert Peterson (Algiers, La.)

“It was a great opportunity for us to get to know people around the city.” – Junior Rarlensee Nelson (Ville Platte, La.)

“I’m really into giving back to the community and it felt good doing so.” – Junior Lenny Harmon (Lake Charles, La.)

“It was something that needed to be done and I was glad we got to do it. It felt great wearing a UNO shirt and having people see us working in their neighborhoods.” – Senior Jarred LaFont (Houma, La.)

“I thought it was great that the St Aug football team was there. Maybe seeing us work showed them it alright to do stuff like community service.” – Junior Lovell Cook (New Orleans)

“It was good to give back to the community, but it was even better to do it as a team.” – Sophomore Max Banchy (Stillwater, Minn.)

“It was fun for us to get to know people in the community and do something we have not done before like build a playground.” – Junior Antonio Holmes (Zwolle, La.)

“I thought it was a great experience for our guys to get out and interact with the community. Since Hurricane Katrina, there have been a lot of people needing help who could not get it and I am glad we could help.” – Senior Brandon Knight (Pensacola, Fla.)

“I live right around the corner from Kerry Curley and I used to play there all the time. I did not like how it looked with all the trash and writing on the courts. I am glad we could clean it up.” – Senior Russell Moore (New Orleans) U Of New Orleans Men’s Team Joints ‘Fight The Blight’ Volunteer Day

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NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans men’s basketball team joined roughly 500 other volunteers in participating in Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s fourth “Fight the Blight” volunteer day this past weekend. A partnership between the City of New Orleans, local neighborhood organizations, non-profits and volunteers throughout the city, the goal of ‘Fight the Blight’ is to eradicate blight areas within a five-block radius open schools, playgrounds and high-traffic commercial areas. As part of this program, the UNO basketball team and coaching staff were split into two different groups. The first group was responsible for street cleaning, cutting grass, trash removal and demolition on Orleans Avenue. A few miles away, the second group was tasked with cleaning and repainting the outdoor basketball court at Kerry Curley playground in New Orleans East, while also repairing a retaining wall in the playground. “This was a really rewarding experience for our team and staff, said UNO head men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger . It allowed us to work hand-in-hand with many other service groups from around the city.” “We really grew as a team and were humbled and honored to improve the quality of life in New Orleans East. It means so much for us to give back to the city that we all love. Every day, our team has to renew our commitment to our team, campus and city. I know there is not a win-loss category for great time or life experiences, but if there was, this was definitely a huge win.” The project is one of several community serve efforts that the team has engaged in under the lead of Slessinger, in his first year as head men’s basketball coach at UNO. A few weeks ago, the men’s basketball program participated in another ServeNOLA event onSept. 11 at Engine House No. 9 and have several other initiatives planned. In addition to the community service, Slessinger and some his players have spoken before different groups across UNO’s campus, as well as taking part in meetings at local civic organizations. Organizations and civic groups interested in having Slessinger and/or members of his team attend; please contact UNO Director of Athletic Media Relations Jason Plotkin at (504) 280-6284 or [email protected] QUOTES FROM UNO MEN’s BASKETBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES REGARDING FIGHT THE BLIGHT “My favorite part was the people in the neighborhood and how happy they were to see us out there cleaning stuff up.” – Junior Albert Peterson (Algiers, La.) “It was a great opportunity for us to get to know people around the city.” – Junior Rarlensee Nelson (Ville Platte, La.) “I’m really into giving back to the community and it felt good doing so.” – Junior Lenny Harmon (Lake Charles, La.) “It was something that needed to be done and I was glad we got to do it. It felt great wearing a UNO shirt and having people see us working in their neighborhoods.” – Senior Jarred LaFont (Houma, La.) “I thought it was great that the St Aug football team was there. Maybe seeing us work showed them it alright to do stuff like community service.” – Junior Lovell Cook (New Orleans) “It was good to give back to the community, but it was even better to do it as a team.” – Sophomore Max Banchy (Stillwater, Minn.) “It was fun for us to get to know people in the community and do something we have not done before like build a playground.” – Junior Antonio Holmes (Zwolle, La.) “I thought it was a great experience for our guys to get out and interact with the community. Since Hurricane Katrina, there have been a lot of people needing help who could not get it and I am glad we could help.” – Senior Brandon Knight (Pensacola, Fla.) “I live right around the corner from Kerry Curley and I used to play there all the time. I did not like how it looked with all the trash and writing on the courts. I am glad we could clean it up.” – Senior Russell Moore (New Orleans)