Apr. 30, 2014:  Bronco athletes are in the midst of Spirit Week, a weeklong event when athletes have an opportunity to give back to their school, community, and charitable organizations. On Saturday, the student-athletes participated in community cleanup day, and this past Monday, varsity athletes visited the third- and fourth-grade classrooms to discuss sportsmanship and character. They shared their most memorable Bronxville sports experiences.

Bronxville physical education teacher Matt Fisher, who helped organize the event, was happy with the outcome. "This was an outstanding event with the participation of approximately 50 student-athletes. They were able to clean up on campus, help plant gardens, and help many senior citizens. This event showed that with the help of many, relationships can be strengthened, and special things can happen."

The Bronxville High School Athletic Council planned the annual spring Spirit Week, which is designed to create a fun-filled sports experience for athletes. Spirit Week includes many activities for the fans, such as giveaways, raffles, food, music, and a performance by the middle school dance team during halftime of the boys' lacrosse game. The boys' baseball team will be holding its first-ever old-timers softball game on Saturday before the varsity game.

Varsity players have also focused on fundraising events in conjunction with their games. Yesterday, in a rainy game against Edgemont, the girls' lacrosse team raised money and played for One Love, a foundation started in the name of Yeardley Reynolds Love, a University of Virginia lacrosse player who was killed by her boyfriend in 2010. The foundation's mission is to end relationship violence through education and technology.

The boys' lacrosse team (6-4) will be raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is a world leader in advancing the treatment and prevention of catastrophic diseases in children. The Bronco boys will face John Jay/Cross River on Saturday at 1:00 pm at Chambers Field. The Bronxville team is seeded third in all of Section 1 by lohud.com, and John Jay is seeded fifth. To donate online, click here: St. Jude Donations.

The baseball team will be raising money for the Zoë B. Klimley Scholarship Fund. Zoë, who was a Bronxville resident and junior at the Taft School, died unexpectedly in January. Her brothers, Graham and Preston, are juniors at Bronxville High School. The baseball team will hold a bake sale at its game on Saturday, and it will also be giving away free T-shirts. 

Last week, the members of the golf team helped run a golf clinic for elementary school students participating in the Bronxville after-school program. Next Tuesday, both the girls' and boys' varsity track and field teams will hold a Fun Clinic for elementary school students. The varsity athletes will coach the students in sprints, high jump, long jump, shot put, and hurdles.

All community members are welcome to participate in Spirit Week. Come out on Saturday and support the boys' lacrosse team at 1:00 pm and the baseball team at 3:00 pm at Lower Scout Field. The baseball team will be playing neighboring rival Eastchester.

Go Broncos.

Pictured here (rotating):  Bronxville student-athletes help clean up community gardens; Bronxville varsity athletes speak to elementary school students.

Photos by Matt Fisher