Texas Tech University Athletics
A Special Season of Giving
December 20, 2011 | General
Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt and Texas Tech student-athletes present their donation to Toys for Tots.
Dec. 20, 2011
by Britton Drown
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
The word most commonly used on this Wednesday evening inside the South Plains Mall was `community.' For Austin Zouzalik, it's something, perhaps a perfectly tangible description of his hometown of Lubbock, that remains close to him.
The junior receiver on the Texas Tech football team understands the unselfish nature and friendly culture of West Texas. It's part of who he is. Tonight was just another example of the giving tendencies that reside deep within the community that he grew up in.
Maybe it helped to explain why he jumped at the opportunity to be right there, underneath the brightly lit Christmas tree as Texas Tech donated approximately 700 toys for Toys for Tots. The Toys for Tots organization is sponsored by the United State Marine Core and two Marines were present for the donation.
During the formal gifts exchange, Athletics Director Kirby Hocuttfrequently used the word `community' as he spoke to a local news reporter. Those behind him, the football players, including Zouzalik, along with members of the women's basketball team represented his immediate community.
But tonight represented much more, and the idea of community encompassed more than those gathered there. It was about giving back to the entire community of Lubbock. The community that never waivers from its support of Texas Tech or the athletics department.
It's what members of a true community do for one another without expectation.
"I think everybody in the community really gets behind things like this," Zouzalik said. "It's such a close-knit, small college community."
 | "It's a tremendous statement. We are very lucky to live in a community that supports us throughout the course of the year. To take this opportunity to give back is just tremendous." |
The toys were collected during both a men's and women's basketball game at the United Spirit Arena in exchange for free admission to the games. Meanwhile, the Texas Tech athletics department staff and family members made donations of their own.
"It's a tremendous statement," Hocutt said shortly after the presentation. "We are very lucky to live in a community that supports us throughout the course of the year. To take this opportunity to give back is just tremendous."
The presentation represented the efforts of both the Lubbock community and the Texas Tech athletics department to give back those in need. Meanwhile, it was clear that the opportunity had an impact on the student-athletes directly involved.
"It's exciting just to know that we can help out," junior women's basketball player Casey Morrissaid. "It's a good cause. We all love kids, and to help people that are less fortunate. It's always nice to get out and give to the community. They come and watch us and that is giving to us."
The Toys for Tots donation wasn't the only charitable effort that the Texas Tech athletics programs have been involved in during the holiday season.
Between three separate donation dates, the athletics department collected 6,123 pounds of food through its participation in the U-Can-Share Food Drive sponsored by the South Plains Food Bank.
The collaborative effort began before Thanksgiving and this afternoon, representatives from the Texas Tech athletics department will assist the food bank in its distribution efforts.
"It's a great time of the year," Hocutt said. "To have the opportunity to give back in a significant way is very special."
Under the guidance head coach Billy Gillispie, the men's basketball team has been involved in their own community service initiative.
For 12 days the Red Raiders have found different and unique ways to give back to the city of Lubbock in what Gillispie has called his team's '12 Days of Christmas'. The team has delivered food through the local Meals on Wheels program, read at local elementary schools and also rang Christmas bells for the Salvation Army.
"It's great to just great to give back," freshman men's basketball player DeShon Minnissaid. "They come to the games and watch us play, and now it's just our turn to come do things for them."
 The men's basketball program has made an impact in the Lubbock community through their '12 Days of Christmas' campaign. | |
For Hocutt, the season of giving has been part of a grander lesson he hopes his community, and specifically his student-athletes, learn during their time at Texas Tech.
"We are in higher education," Hocutt said. "We are teaching life lessons, and giving back to your community. Helping those who are not as fortunate as you is a part of a life-long lesson that our student athletes are learning."
In their own way, those principles of a true community are something the Texas Tech student-athletes have taken to heart this holiday season.
"It puts everything into perspective to give back to the community and show your face," Doege said. "It's something special to be a part of."
