UMD Athletics

What began has an opportunity for a few of the upper-classmen to give back to the community became a tradition unlike any other at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Dating back to 2014, Kicks for Causes quickly became a commutable service that embodied the characteristics of the Bulldog soccer club. Designated home matchups are established throughout the season as a way to give back to the community by having the student-athletes select organizations to highlight and directly work with. In its eighth year of operation, 52 current-and-former players have campaigned with over 35 different organizations to promote awareness and help fundraise.

"What our players are doing with their annual Kicks for Causes undertaking is unlike anything in college sports," said assistant coach Kelly Grgas-Wheeler. "In the beginning, it was created as a way to showcase their community service involvement, and of course it's done that. But more importantly, it has allowed the players the avenue to shoulder the greater responsibility of representing those valuable and worthy causes. I am so proud of this program and it's community awareness above and beyond soccer and UMD."