Student-Athletes, Good Citizens: Whitman Blues Are All-Stars Off the Field Too

Whitman College’s student-athletes aren’t just good competitors—they’re good citizens who lead by example. Just take a look at a few ways they step up to the plate to make our community better.

A Home Run for Kids & Cancer

Whitman’s baseball team knocks it out of the park for local youth. Players and coaches volunteer at Sharpstein Elementary each year, teaching third graders the fundamentals of the game and inspiring them to be active. The team also helps young athletes get ready for baseball season with a free camp for Little Leaguers and spring training clinics for middle school and high school players. 

Through raffles, rodeos, bake sales and social campaigns, the team also raises money for the Providence St. Mary Jan Erickson Life Saver Fund. Named in honor of a former Whitman staff member, the fund supplies free mammograms for women without insurance and financial support for families struggling to get by because of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whitman baseball also partners with Team Impact, which matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams. Since 2023, players have supported honorary teammate Hadyin, a 13-year-old leukemia survivor from LaGrande, Oregon with regular check-ins, invites to games and team events, and special celebrations. 

Slam Dunk for Schools

For the past three years, Whitman men’s basketball players have volunteered at Green Park Elementary every week—helping in the classroom, playing games at recess, and being a friendly presence and positive role models for local kids. They also volunteer at “Donuts With Grown-Ups” every year, stepping in for kids who do not have a grown-up to accompany them during the event. 

The men’s basketball program is also dedicated to making basketball accessible to youth in the Walla Walla Valley. They support middle school and high school players through preseason training sessions, and thanks to generous local sponsors, the team offers a free or low-cost basketball camp every year for more than 200 young athletes. These camps, which fill up every year, provide a space for kids to develop skills, build confidence and learn the game in a fun, competitive environment.

Going the Distance

Whitman’s cross country and distance track runners are mentors and community leaders.

Every year, the team brings Walla Walla children together for the Kids All-City Track Meet, where Walla Walla youth can get firsthand experience with track and field events. They also run a track camp for kids ages 5–12, where young runners can learn and grow their skills with the team.

These Blues athletes also run for a cause. Through their 24-hour nonstop relay ("Who Do You Run For?") the team raises awareness and funds for important causes, supporting everything from national cancer research to local Walla Walla nonprofits.

Eyes on the Goal

Whitman’s lacrosse team partners with Walla Walla Youth Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse to offer free "Pick Up and Play" clinics to elementary to middle school students twice a year. 

This spring, led by junior Sky Pasena-Littlesky ’26, team members also volunteered with Pacific Northwest Native Lacrosse to help lead the Robby Bill Memorial Spring Break Lacrosse Clinic for the youth of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. 

Kickstarting a Love of Sport

Whitman’s men’s soccer team regularly takes to the field with local youth to share their passion for the game. Student-athletes and coaches work with the city to offer a six-week soccer clinic, where young players in the community can come to Hayner Field to boost their soccer skills and get goalkeeper training.

They also help raise money each November for Edison Elementary’s Parent-Teacher Association by putting on a one-day soccer clinic as a prize for a silent auction. 

Playing the Long Game

For more than 15 years, the women’s tennis team has partnered with Sharpstein and Edison elementary schools to bring tennis fundamentals to grade-school Physical Education (PE) classes. 

Each fall, Whitman coaches and players conduct a two-week PE takeover, putting on a tennis clinic where young students can get a feel for the game—and hopefully get inspired to keep picking up that racket.

Making a difference—in the game and in their community—it’s the Whittie way!