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The Wayne State women's basketball team took a break from its preparation for the upcoming 2009-10 season last Thursday night to volunteer its time and knowledge of the game by conducting a basketball clinic for kids at Harper Woods Elementary School.

“Working with the kids was great,” head coach Gloria Bradley said. “I also think it gave our athletes a chance to give back to the community.”

After a brief warm-up, the Warriors divided themselves into three groups with each group taking turns drilling the 40 kids, ranging in age from eight to 12, on as many fundamentals as possible. Bradley, who has won 222 games as a head coach, and assistant coach Kristen Rogers, who scored 1,056 points in four years for WSU, floated from group to group offering tips to the youths.

Smiles and laughs were a common sight as the kids hustled from station to station where they were tutored on the basics of dribbling, passing, ball control, rebounding, layups, defensive stances and defensive positioning among other nuances of the game.

Harper Woods Recreation Director John Bobak was ecstatic to have the women's basketball team back for the second consecutive year. Bobak estimated that either the Wayne State men's or women's basketball teams have volunteered to instruct the children six of the past 10 years.

“I think it's great that these women take the time to come out and share their skills with the kids,” Bobak said. “We're very thankful and the kids all love it. They can benefit so much from seeing how hard a real team works. It's just a tremendous time.”

At the end of the evening Bobak addressed the Warriors thanking them while reiterating how important the night was to the youngsters of Harper Woods.

“It means more to them than you know and you helped them far more than you know,” Bobak said.

The Wayne State Department of Athletics has committed itself to over 5,000 hours of volunteer work with the people of Michigan this year.

The WSU women's basketball team will open its season at home against Southern Indiana on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m.