HACKENSACK, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson women's basketball junior guard Rachael Niles kept busy by giving back to her community this past summer.
 
Niles, a native of Burlington, Ontario, volunteered at the Burloak Basketball Camp in Oakville. The camp focuses on improving numerous skills in each camper's game, including passing, dribbling, shooting, and defense, for over 40 kids across three different sessions ranging from ages 5-14. "My friends and I volunteered at the camp because we wanted to give back to our community," said Niles. "I primarily coached the girls and helped them with their dribbling and point guard skills."
 
Niles, who stepped into a leadership role during her sophomore year, recognizes the impact basketball can have in her community. "Giving guidance to those who may not know about basketball and positively using your platform can help make others around you better."
 
In addition to working with the Burloak Basketball Camp, Niles became involved with The Terry Fox Foundation. The Terry Fox Foundation, which was founded in 1988, raises money every year to support cancer research. Niles, with the help of some friends, volunteered and raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation by running a basketball program in the local park.
 
She ended her summer by partaking in a Black Lives Matter march in Burlington. "We marched to the town hall and it was amazing," said Niles. "It was important to attend because we grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood. People of color and different races came together to fight the injustices going on in the States."
 
One of the pillars of the Knights Athletic Department is community service. Niles continues to express this value through her actions, "Volunteering has shaped me in a lot of ways, but with quarantine, I was able to volunteer and make the best out of it," added Niles. "It is important to volunteer and keep a relationship with your community as well as volunteering for the right reasons. I became more organized, a better leader, and helping the kids helped me realize how fortunate I am."