This fall season, varsity captains are bringing back to Staples sports the old tradition of community service by hosting games that raise money for charity.

Staples Athletic Director, Marty Lisevick, explained that in 2006, 28 of 35 sports teams at Staples did various service projects during their seasons. That number has since decreased and Lisevick is hoping to bring it back up. He said that he met with all the fall captains and told them that he would like each varsity team to do one charity this year.

“The captains were very good about it. Ninety-percent of them do community service but very few do it with their teams,” Lisevick said. He hopes that this will change, and that the players can incorporate their charity work with their sports.

Girls’ volleyball captains Lucy Stanley ’11, Alex Masiello ‘11, and Dana Rappaport ’11, are organizing a game for the organization Dig Pink, an organization that raises money for breast cancer through volleyball games.

This game will be on Oct. 20, during a varsity home game against Ridgefield.

This game will run just like a regular game but people will just have to pay to watch. The team will all wear pink shirts for the game, as well.

To get everyone involved, varsity will play while the JV and freshmen players help out during the game.

Stanley said that the captains are “enthused” to be participating in this game. She is excited, as a captain, to be coordinating the day with her other co-captains. “Being able to contribute and raise money feels good,” Stanley said.

The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams are joining forces in fun, co-ed games to also raise money for breast cancer.

“Our team is excited about the game, especially since it is the first we have ever done,” said the soccer captains Jaclyn Katz ’11, Kelly Bohling ’11, and Shannon Moss ’11.

Similarly, coach Nicole Ross is happy that the captains brought this idea up to her.

This game will take place during Thanksgiving weekend and will be just a scrimmage between the teams. The boys and girls will mix together to make co-ed teams with different games for Varsity, JV, and freshmen so everyone can get involved.

Katz’s family founded the charity that soccer chose, the Community Mammogram program at Norwalk Hospital. According to Ross, 250 underprivileged women have received free screening and self-help since the program started last fall.

“It is a great opportunity for the girls to give back to the community. It is a good start for them can be continued in the future,” Ross said.

When asked, varsity boys coach Dan Woog said that the girl’s team was really organizing the whole event. “The boys soccer team is happy to work with the girls on this important project. The girls are taking the lead and we will gladly participate,” Woog said.

Charity is a great way for students to give back, especially together with their teammates. As Lisevick said, “the charity our teams are doing really highlights all the great things about kids at Staples.”