Special Needs Clinic 2011

For the third straight year, members of the men's and women's basketball teams came together to host a basketball clinic for persons with special needs. This year's event was held on December 11, 2011. Participants learned basic fundamentals from the Golden Eagles' players and all of the clinic participants were invited to a Golden Eagles' game.

Community involvement is very important to the Athletics program at Rock Valley College. That is why our coaches strive to instill the importance of community to each and every student-athlete at RVC. Below you will read about and see some of the highlights of the community events in which the women's basketball team has participated in recent years.

Northwest Community Center Run

On November 6, 2011, athletes from the Rock Valley College women’s basketball, volleyball, and softball teams volunteered at the Northwest Community Run, where all proceeds went to helping improve after school programs for the Northwest Community Center located in Rockford. RVC athletes directed and cheered on runners during this 2.5 mile race. 

Special Olympics Volleyball

A Special Olympics Volleyball match was held at Harlem High School on October 30, 2011. Members of the Rock Valley College women’s basketball and volleyball teams volunteered as line judges, scorekeepers and award presenters. It was a truly awesome experience. Teams  came from all over the state of Illinois for this event. RVC athletes were happy to be a part of it. 

Special Needs Basketball Clinic 2010

For the second year in a row, members of the men's and women's basketball teams came together to host a basketball clinic for persons with special needs. This year's event was held on November 20, 2010. Participants learned basic fundamentals from the Golden Eagles' players and all of the clinic participants were invited to a Golden Eagles' game.

Silver Chalice Black Healthcare Challenge

On September 18, 2010, the RVC women's and men's basketball teams helped out at The Black Healthcare Initiative Coalition, a free health fair that included screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, and hearing as well as for organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. Other activities included line dancing, aerobics, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and seminar on the new health care reform law given by the American Association of Retired Persons.

Habitat for Humanity

On September 11, 2010, the RVC women's and men's basketball teams worked together to landscape and clean-up at five new homes in the Rockford area.

Food Pantry Donation

On November 24, 2009 Rock Valley College Women’s Basketball donated $135.00 in gate receipts and countless non-perishable food items to The Carpenter’s Place mission.  The players wanted to insure that other families and individuals were able to enjoy a warm meal for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Habitat for Humanity

On August 29, 2009, RVC head coach Misty Opat, sophomore Emily Luedke, and freshman Lindsay Lengjak worked on landscaping projects for two different families.

Special Needs Basketball Clinic 2009

On October 31, 2009, members of the men's and women's basketball teams came together to host a basketball clinic for persons with special needs. There were over 32 participants who learned basic fundamentals from the Golden Eagles' players. All of the clinic participants were invited back for the November 12 home game where they were honored at half time of the women's game.

Adopt-A-Highway

On October 31, 2009, the men's and women's basketball teams came together again to clean a stretch of highway recently adopted by the RVC Athletics program (on Riverside from Perryville to the I-90 interchange). RVC athletes will do four pick-ups annually, and this was the first.

Boys & Girls Club Clinic

On November 4, 2009, members of the women's basketball team put on a clinic at the Carlson Boys & Girls Club. Participating RVC players included Alexys Cleaver, Nicole Plum, Morgan McAllister, Felichaun Porchia, Stephanie Engelke, Cierra Morris, student assistan coach Brittney Porter, and RVC head coach Misty Opat. All who attended the clinic from the Boys & Girls Club have been invited to the January 5, 2010 RVC gamea against Joliet and were also given two tickets each that can be used any time this season.