More than a game: UNK students give back through Buddy Bowling, TOP Soccer programs
KEARNEY – The crash of pins and bursts of laughter filled Big Apple Fun Center as bowlers celebrated each turn with cheers and high-fives.
Friends gathered across 18 lanes, sharing pizza, posing for photos and admiring their trophies.
Last week’s event had all the elements of any great party. But for University of Nebraska at Kearney students and their community partners, it was something more.
It was Buddy Bowling.
Hosted Wednesday afternoons by The Arc of Buffalo County, the program brings individuals with developmental disabilities and volunteers together for an hour of fun and connection. The recent outing marked the final session of the eight-week spring season, adding extra excitement, encouragement and camaraderie to the occasion.
Building community one frame at a time
Among the volunteers were UNK health science students from organizations such as the A.T.L.A.S. Honor Society and Kearney Health Opportunities Program.
Their experience goes far beyond the game itself.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Dylan Pfeifer, a junior from Central City. “Going into health care, you’re going to be working with people from all areas of life. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, share some laughs and just have a good time together.”
A future physician assistant, Pfeifer just wrapped up his third season with Buddy Bowling. He volunteers every week, allowing him to build meaningful relationships with other members of the team from Lane 3.
“Throughout the weeks, you get really close with the same group,” he said. “That really makes those connections stronger.”
This sense of community is at the heart of the program, according to Jordan Squiers, president of The Arc of Buffalo County Board of Directors. With roughly 60-70 participants each season, Buddy Bowling emphasizes not just activity, but interaction.
“Without that piece, our members are just bowling,” Squiers said. “The relationships built and the sense of connection to both the community and UNK is what Buddy Bowling is all about.”
Recent changes to the program – allowing student groups to volunteer for individual weeks rather than an entire season – have increased participation and energy.
“We had a great deal of success getting more students in the door,” Squiers said. “They bring a different type of energy to the event and seem to truly take pride in connecting with our members.”
For senior Audrey Belew, those interactions are what kept her coming back each week. She describes the atmosphere as supportive and joyful, with encouragement flowing both ways.
“I get to cheer them on, and they cheer me on, too, so it’s a fun environment,” said Belew, a pre-physical therapy student from Bee.
“I always leave here with a smile on my face,” she added. “It makes my day better, and I like to think that it makes their day better, as well.”
Volunteering also offers valuable perspective for UNK students, especially those pursuing careers in health care. Pfeifer said the experience has helped him grow in ways that extend beyond the classroom.
“You gain so much,” he said. “You’re building personal relationships with people you might not ordinarily meet. You’re learning communication skills, including with people who are nonverbal, and that’s really important in health care.”
Squiers echoed that sentiment, noting the broader impact these interactions can have on students’ future careers.
“I hope they truly understand the difference they make,” she said. “And I hope it opens their eyes to the value that people with disabilities can bring to the community.”
Spreading love through soccer
That same spirit of inclusion and connection extends beyond the bowling lanes.
On Monday evenings at the Kearney SportsPlex, UNK students and student-athletes volunteer with TOPSoccer – The Outreach Program for Soccer – which provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn and play the game in a supportive environment.
During the local program, operated through the nonprofit Kearney Soccer Club, the indoor field comes alive with activity: orange soccer balls rolling across turf, cones marking drills, kids running, laughing and celebrating goals together.
The UNK women’s soccer team assists throughout the year, with other student groups volunteering on specific dates.
“This is something we all look forward to every week,” said sophomore forward Camrynn Nitta. “It’s something we all love to do – come out here, play soccer and have a good time.”
The pre-nursing student from Mililani, Hawaii, believes the experience is as rewarding for volunteers as it is for participants.
“It brings me back to being a little kid, running around on the field,” she said. “I love the game just like they do.”
Sophomore defender Chloe Edmunds sees the same benefits.
“Soccer is such an accessible sport, and I think that’s what is special about it,” she said. “Every kid gets to come here and have fun in their own way. It’s a great place for them to meet friends and be involved.”
Edmunds, a psychology major from Boise, Idaho, also noted the program’s positive impact on team chemistry and relationship-building beyond the field.
“It’s really important to involve ourselves in the community, especially as a team in a smaller city,” she said. “This is a good way for us to get out of our comfort zone and grow closer as a team. Plus, I love soccer, so if I can spread that love, it’s definitely something I look forward to.”
TOPSoccer serves players of all ages and abilities, focusing on skill development, teamwork and confidence in a fun, inclusive setting. With 25 current participants, co-program director Grace Thomsen said the presence of UNK volunteers is essential.
“Their involvement means everything to our program,” she said. “Without them, we would not have a program. Our volunteers are such great role models, and they bring a fun energy to the activities. They’re never afraid to work hard and get everyone involved.”
Like Buddy Bowling, the relationships formed through TOPSoccer can have a lasting impact.
“So many of our players remember the volunteers who support them and will recognize them in the community,” said Thomsen, who also serves on The Arc of Buffalo County Board of Directors. “It is absolutely soul filling to see the pure excitement on their face when they see someone they remember and instantly strike up a conversation.”
She wants the program to leave the same impression on students.
“I hope it helps them see the value in inclusion in the Kearney community,” Thomsen said. “Our athletes are some of UNK’s biggest supporters, and we love that UNK is one of the biggest supporters of TOPSoccer.”
Whether at a bowling alley or on a soccer field, Lopers are finding meaningful ways to connect with others while giving back. And they’re encouraging others to do the same.
“It’s a really rewarding and fulfilling experience that honestly I think everyone should do,” Pfeifer said.