Reporter >> We've got some really great local soccer highlights from the high schools and I'm
thinking
these are the two guys who a lot of those players are trying to impress. We have the head
coaches of the men's soccer teams, Chris Apple from U of R and Bill Garno from RIT.
You guys
get along really, really well and realizing you've got a big matchup tomorrow.
You go head to head in competition but you really get along as friends too, don't you?
Coach Garno >> Yeah this has been a big tradition. U of R and RIT forever. And I've known Chris
since he was a player and we played together
When he came to U of R it was a big game on the schedule to begin with
but when you play against a former
opponent from the field it makes it fun and
it's a great program, so it's always a big a game on our schedule.
Reporter >> We're talking Hillside and we're talking soccer, this event was the first of its
kind last year.
This year, second year, very, very popular. For people who haven't heard of it at all
what's happening tomorrow? Coach Apple >> Well I think Hillside is such a great
community organization. A lot of people, including myself, are part of this event
don't know about Hillside and all the good work that that they do with families and
children,
youth in our community so it's a great opportunity to raise awareness
as well some funds for Hillside and for the children there.
Hopefully the soccer match brings a lot of people out and people can learn more about
Hillside and all that they do.
Reporter >>You've been learning about it and I'm putting you on the spot here but as you learn about it
you know people
maybe they know the name hillside, they see it. Again they don't really understand what
happens there. Is an aspect that
when you've been learning about it that you thought "I'm surprised I didn't know that?"
Coach Apple >> Well like adoption services, for example. They do a lot of adoption
services for
local families looking to adopt and then they do wonderful work with
children all across the range
of emotional challenges, challenges with school, they do
counseling.
They have a residential program for children with severe issues
and they council the children and educate them and it's just a great program.
Reporter >> So if there's a child in need they could find some support at Hillside.
And the man in charge right now, a proud RIT alum, is that what I hear?
Coach Garno >> Yeah, Tom is a graduate of RIT.
He is a mutual friend of Chris and I from the soccer community.
He's still supporting the organization and is now the president at Hillside he approached us a
couple years ago.
I think to Chris' point I learned a lot more about Hillside in the last two
years through this
initiative. So it's been a win-win for me personally. I think it's
good for RIT and our
affiliation trying to continue to make sure we have a strong ties to the
community.
Reporter >> So soccer enthusiasts, whether they want to be a supporter of Hillside or just want a good old
game of soccer
where are things happening? How can, timing of everything, how can
people check it all out? Coach Apple>> Well it's downtown at Sahlen's Stadium, a beautiful soccer stadium
we have right in our city and at 3 o'clock there is a clinic for children.
At 5 the women's game kicks off. That's also RIT against the U of R.
And then we have the nightcap at 7:30.
Reporter>> Do we want to make some predictions here? Coaches >> No, no. Coach Apple>> We don't predict.
Reporter>> But I'm thinking, too, when you think about,
you've got young people on your teams, young adults, if you think of
even younger, the kids who might be need of love, support,
learning about teamwork. When you think about soccer and learning about
working with a child in need that's got to be a good relationship if it's
the right fit?
Coach Garno>> I think one of the things, you know, Hillside provides
is guidance and mentorship. One of the things we want our student-athletes to
recognize is that as
collegiate athletes there's younger children who look up to them.
This is clearly an event where that's on display and so I think
it brings right in the face of our
student-athletes to say "I do have an influence on young people. I need to be
accountable for what I do on the field and in the community" and
leadership is one of the things that U of R and RIT are known for and we expect these
young men to, when they graduate, come out and lead the community, not just in their
profession
but in their community. Reporter>> I like it.Once the fit was put together you
realized it really was a natural fit. A great idea for
program. Well I've got a wish both of you luck tomorrow.
Also as I mentioned too, that the money raised tomorrow is going to go towards
folks currently going to Hillside programs for
summer camps for next year. So already planning ahead for next year. So
guys we wish you luck. Nice to meet you. Coach Garno>> Thank you very much.
Reporter>> And again we have a lot of good highlights from our high school games last week if you want to
check out the highlights coming up in just a few minutes. Good luck we appreciate
your time. Nice to meet you both.