UMass Athletes Spread Holiday Cheer At Shriners

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Children spending the holiday in the hospital got a fun surprise today. UMass athletes made their annual trip to Shriners Hospital for Children, passing out toys to the kids. The trolleys they pulled looked a little like Santa's sleigh. UMass student-athletes Sean Carter, Rachel Miranda, Lindsey Diorio, Stu Amick, Katie Bettencourt, Samantha Schnoerr and Nazy Kerr were all on hand to distribute more than 330 toys that were donated by fans at UMass games.

Athletes from several different UMass teams helped give hundreds of toys away. Basketball player, Sean Carter, says it's important to brighten the kids' day.

"These kids enjoy it. There's some things in life they really don't get a chance to do so it helps them know that people care about them," he says.

UMass collected the toys at Minutemen basketball and hockey games. Doctors and trainers from UMass' athletic department donated money to give Shriners Hospital for Children a red Wiii this year.

Faces of the A-10

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PHILADELPHIA - Rookie Jess Koci has made an immediate impact on the La Salle women's basketball team in just the first eight games of her career. The local product out of Archbishop Ryan High School has started all eight contests so far, averaging 8.4 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds per game. She already has a double-double to her resume with 10 points and 14 rebounds in the Explorers' 87-67 win over Oral Roberts.

Why did you choose La Salle? To play basketball
Describe yourself in one word: Tough
Why did you pick your jersey number? #31 has been my basketball number since I was 10 years old.
One phrase to describe Coach Williams? Determined
What is the best advice you have received? Never give up!
What are some highlights of your basketball career? In high school, scoring 1,000 points and playing at Penn State for the state championship. Here at La Salle, my first double-double as a freshman.
Goals for the rest of the 2010-11 season? To help the team to a better record
Who influenced you to get involved with basketball? Mr. Matthews when I was eight.
When did you realize you could/wanted to take your game to the Division I level? During my senior year of high school when I was nominated for the McDonald's All-American team and when we made it to the state championship game.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? I pray before every game.
What are your off-the-court hobbies and interests? I love going to the beach, playing all sports and going to Phillies games.

Who is your funniest teammate? Brittany
If you could pick any place in the world to visit, where would you go and why? Bahamas, because I love the beach!
When you were five years old, what did you want to grow up to be? Veterinarian, because I loved animals.
What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now? Doing something in the nutrition field and coaching a basketball team.
25 years from now? Married with two kids.

Favorites:
Place to eat? Chickie's and Pete's
Food? Pizza
Movie? Coach Carter
TV show? One Tree Hill, Vampire Diaries
Band/group/singer? Rihanna
Website? Facebook
Place to play in the A-10? Home, La Salle!
Pro sports team? Phillies
La Salle team to watch? Men's basketball