SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. -- On January 16, 2010, the IU Southeast Softball program traveled to North Bullitt High School and conducted two, two-hour skills clinics for the youth of Bullitt County.

The team and coaching staff volunteered their time for the afternoon, helping the students with all aspects of the game of softball, from fielding to hitting to base running.

The event was coordinated by the NBHS softball staff and was open to all youth of Bullitt County. In addition to skills instruction, the IU Southeast coaching staff took time to speak with each individual on what it takes to become a college student-athlete, focusing on hard work and success in the classroom.

"It was a joy and honor to work with the students of Bullitt County. The young ladies really worked hard and were very eager to learn. They had a great time interacting with our college players and hopefully learned a thing or two as well," said IU Southeast Head Coach Todd Buckingham.

"This kind of event is great for our players too. They get an understanding of what it means to give back to the community. They shared their gift of softball talent in a way that will hopefully spark an interest to become a collegiate student-athlete for the youth of Bullitt County. Any way we can express the importance of a college degree is great," said Buckingham.

The IU Southeast softball team finished the regular season with a 27-20 record last season and 16-3 in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC). The Grenadiers will play their first game of the 2010 season on Saturday, February 20 when the team hosts Indiana Tech for a double-header beginning at 1 p.m. at the Koetter Sports Softball Complex on the New Albany campus.