Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Visits Janet Weis Children's Hospital
9/29/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2000
LEWISBURG, PA - Five members of the Bucknell University football team and assistant coach Joe Tillman recently paid a visit to the Janet Weis Children's Hospital of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. The Bucknell contingent made their way through several floors in the hospital spreading good cheer and offering Beanie Babies, Bucknell football t-shirts and caps to sick children of all ages.
Among those that made the trip were senior fullback Jason Marrow (Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall), senior linebacker Chad Marsilio (Beaver Falls, PA/Blackhawk), senior linebacker Eric Higgins (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel), senior cornerback Nate Musselman (New Holland, PA/Garden Spot), and senior defensive back Alex Blecksmith (San Marino, CA/Flintridge Prep).
For the players, the experience was both eye-opening and rewarding. "I had a really good time just making the kids smile," said Marrow. "It was a great experience that allowed me to brighten their day as well as my own."
Blecksmith echoed some of Marrow's thoughts. "Today made me realize how very fortunate I am to have my health. The toughest days I go through can never compare to the struggles that these children go through every day."
Becky Drumheller, Certified Childlife Specialist, said the children spoke of their visitors long after they had left the hospital that day. "Several of the children spoke of their time with the football players and were excited to show the pictures that had been taken. The Bucknell players did a great job with the children, particularly in taking the focus off of the medical situations and directing the interest in the kids themselves. Our children look forward to these visits because it lifts their spirits and lets them be spoiled a little too!"
One such example included a 10-year-old girl, Miranda, who had been omitted to the hospital the day before - which also happened to be her birthday. Up until the players visited with her she had been quiet and reserved. The players showed interest in her and her likes and from that they discovered she was a cheerleader. Well, she didn't do her cheer for them as they had requested, but after they left she asked one of the nurses if the players were serious. Soon thereafter, she had the room full of nurses and doctors and did her cheer for them.
Bucknell's football team has made several trips to the Children's Hospital, as has the men's basketball team. "Our kids love to get visits from the Bucknell teams," said Drumheller. "The players are always very talkative with the children and do a great job interacting with them. We get other groups that visit and once they enter the rooms they have a hard time opening up with the kids."
