RADFORD – Radford University junior and exercise, sport and health education major Rick Agosta is serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. During the day, he’s a civil servant and in the evenings, he’s a mentor and friend to Iraq youth.

One way Agosta mentors to youth is by keeping them energized and enthused in sports. Thanks to the generosity of faculty and students in RU’s Department of Exercise, Sport and Health Education (ESHE) and GOPHER Sporting Goods, Agosta is bringing a ray of sunshine to those who have very little to play with, and sometimes nothing at all.

Six boxes of sporting supplies, baby wipes and snacks were recently packaged and sent to Agosta. GOPHER Sporting Goods, a company that ESHE uses to order equipment for use in the health and physical education teaching education major classes, donated six soccer balls. Faculty and staff in the department donated basketballs, playground balls, tennis Nerf balls and a soft t-ball. Baby wipes are used to clean sand off the soldiers’ faces and hands while they’re interacting with the children. Foods donated included beef jerky, Life Savers, Slim Jims, wrapped candies and powdered Gatorade.

(IN THE PHOTO: ESHE students pack boxes to be sent to their former classmate in Iraq. Pictured, from left, are Claire Schumacher, Ashley Alexander, Kristina Petree and Vicki Madden.)

Professor Susan Miller spearheaded the initiative, discussing the project with Agosta while he was home on leave. She says, “This is Rick’s commitment. I can think of no better ambassador than Rick.” Several ESHE faculty and College of Education and Human Development dean Pat Shoemaker donated money for the $72 in postage fees. Agosta has expressed a need for pencils, paper and various school supplies and that will be the next project.

To learn more about Agosta’s tour of duty, visit http://www.radford.edu/NewsPub/March09/0305agosta.html.