Yeoman to receive 2023 Montana Athletes in Service Award

An Oredigger will be in the spotlight as much of the state attends or tunes in to watch the Brawl of the Wild on Saturday. Business sophomore Kasidy Yeoman of Florence will receive the 2023 Montana Athletes in Service Award.

The Montana Campus Compact gives one award per campus to an outstanding student-athlete who is committed to service.

Yeoman is a guard for the Oredigger women’s basketball team. She volunteers at the Knights of Columbus lunch, United Way Dress a Child Initiative, Belmont Senior Center, and the Head Start After School Program. The practice of making time to serve others started in high school, when she volunteered to help younger kids on sports teams.

“My favorite part about service is being able to help people out who need it, and also playing a big part in showing kids how fun sports are,” Yeoman said.

When it comes to serving older individuals, Yeoman loves to see the smiles on the faces of those she serves.

“I always like the Belmont Senior Center,” Yeoman said. “We help serve food and talk to the seniors who go there. It’s nice seeing their faces when we’re there to help and converse with them.”

Yeoman takes time off from her job fulfilling orders at a local store to serve. She manages her time despite having classes, practices, games, workouts, and a social life. It involves a lot of late nights and early mornings.

“It's difficult, but it is always worth it in the end. I can always work on my stuff later in the day,” Yeoman said. “It’s become easier, but it was a struggle in the beginning.”

She was surprised to receive an award for her volunteerism, after being nominated by a coach.

“I just didn’t think it was noticed,” Yeoman said. “Volunteering wasn’t a big thing. I didn’t think there would be an award for it.”

Yeoman’s suggestion to fellow students considering volunteering is to go for it.

“My advice would be to just do it,” Yeoman said. “Once you do it your first time, you get the feel for it, and it becomes easier.”

Family and friends will attend the game in Washington Grizzly Stadium on Saturday as Yeoman accepts her award. Looking further down the road, Yeoman hopes to graduate and put her business degree to work by owning a salon. She also hasn’t ruled out a career in radiology.

She intends to keep volunteering.

“I love the people I work with,” Yeoman said.