Facebook Photo Gallery (via SF Parks & Recreation)

San Francisco, CA -- This past Saturday, Academy of Art University Women's Basketball welcomed the "spirit of giving" a little early this holiday season.

Participating in the Girls in Sports Taster's Choice Hoops Summit 2012, ART U athletes along with members of the coaching staff united with the San Francisco Parks & Recreation Department at Hamilton Recreation Center for a day of fun, learning about healthy living while practicing their basketball skills and hearing from guest speakers.

"Working with kids is always such a great and rewarding experience,” junior forward Alisa Griggs said. “Knowing that I get the chance to touch these girls' lives through sports is incredible. I think back to when I first started playing basketball and what sort of things stuck with me and try to do the same if ever I'm helping a kid with their skills. Interacting with them is hilarious because young kids usually say whatever it is that they are thinking.”

The one-day clinic brought together young girls (ages 5-14) with the goal of developing the basic fundamental basketball abilities while learning about sound health practices. The Urban Knights got to assist in teaching passing, shooting, dribbling and other aspects of the game they have played all their lives.

“I had a great time with the girls and helping out,” sophomore guard Vianai Austin said. “Seeing all the loveable personalities definitely put a smile on my face and we had a great time together.”

Among the guest speakers was Raquel Miller, a professional boxer and San Francisco native who won a gold medal in the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships this past summer.

“The highlight of the day for me was definitely when the guest speakers came in and talked to the girls,” Griggs said. “I love listening and observing what they have to say. It's such an amazing thing to see how intelligent these girls are at such a young age."

This was in fact the third time ART U had participated in such an event to empower young women through sports. In January, the Urban Knights assisted with the Girls in Sports Winter Extravaganza to celebrate National Women and Girls in Sports Day. Then earlier this fall season, a Girls in Sports Jamboree was also offered by Tasters Choice and SF Parks & Recreation.

“Impacting kids in sports is something that I live for every day, so I enjoyed every minute volunteering at the girls' basketball camp this past weekend,” redshirt junior guard Sherelle Williams said.