Service

Texas Iron Spikes take great pride in being one of the premier service organizations on campus. Our dedication to service is what sets us apart from other spirit and fraternal organizations. Individual members take pride in not simply the quantity of community service, but particularly the quality. Each member is expected to complete a minimum amount of hours per semester, but most do substantially more than their requirement. Members take their responsibility to the University and Austin community seriously. Iron Spikes are proud to be Longhorns and we show this through our commitment to serving the community.

The following just a few of the events that Spikes will participate in this semester:

On Campus

Spring Classic Softball Tournament. Since 2001, the Texas Iron Spikes has hosted the Spring Classic Softball tournament. The tournament benefits the Special Olympics of Texas, and has been the staple of service for the Iron Spike organization. At the Kreig Field Complex, University, Co-ed, and teams from the Austin area compete in seperate divisions for the championship. Despite April showers, the Iron Spikes have had successful tournaments and the event's popularity has increased year by year. For more information about the Spring Classic, please visit www.springclassicsoftball.com.

Project 200? And Project Reachout. Iron Spikes participate in all events put on by the University Volunteer Center. These large projects in particular are always an important part of our service commitment. Every spring, Spikes can be found painting, cleaning, and building in an effort to help give others what most of us are already so fortunate to have.

40 Acres Fest: Each Spring the Iron Spikes volunteers in 40 Acres fest which is a large carnival event held on campus featuring organizations from all over UT and the Austin area. The Iron Spikes prepare food for the participants and partake in all the fun activities each both has to offer.

In the Community

Parmer Woods Assisted Living. Iron Spikes has adopted the Parmer Woods facility in North Austin, and members have found it to be a very rewarding experience. Each week, Iron Spikes travel to Parmer Woods to spend some time with the elderly residents there. Whether the time is spent playing games with the residents or just getting to know them a little better, it is an opportunity for people separated by generations to find common ground.

Neighborhood Longhorns. Each week, Iron Spikes travel to varying elementary schools across the city to mentor young children. Time is spent helping with homework, listening, and playing outside. Neighborhood Longhorns has recognized Iron Spikes in the past as being one of the most important organizations involved, and we plan to continue this great tradition.

Street Cleanup. The Iron Spikes have adopted a stretch of Red River St. from MLK St. to Dean Keeton St. in an effort to help keep Austin’s streets free of liter. Numerous times each semester, members pick up trash bags and gloves and do the thankless job of picking up what other have left behind.

Fall Classic: Every Fall the Iron Spikes partners with the Neighborhood Longhorns program to host a baseball clinic for students from Austin I.S.D. The Clinic takes place at Disch-Falk Field and focuses on the fundamentals of baseball. The clinic includes special appearances by UT baseball players and coaches. The clinic provides an opportunity for the AISD students to learn about baseball in a fun stress free environment.

Hosts Program at Metz Elementary The Iron Spikes volunteer at Metz Elementary School in a program called HOSTS, which stands for Helping One Students to Succeed.  Each member is paired with one student where the Spike acts as tutors and mentor to these underprivileged children. In participating in this program the Iron Spikes not only teach the students, but they learn from them as well. We are hoping that in volunteering we can increase the chances of the student to succeed later down the road.

Oak Springs Tutoring Program: Through the Neighborhood Longhorns program, every week the Iron Spikes volunteer at Oak Springs where they tutor kids who need extra help in the class room. We tutor various subjects depending on abilities of the student. We hope the in volunteering and tutoring these students that each student increases their chance to succeed later down the road.

Special Olympics of Texas: As our main philanthropy the Iron Spikes volunteer at many different Special Olympic events throughout the state of Texas, such as the spring games and the winter games. The events vary from awards presentations, victory dances, helping set-up aquatics, bocce ball, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field, and bowling. The Iron Spikes do various different tasks at each event; anything that needs to be done we’re glad to help and do it. Throughout the year the Iron Spikes raises money to donate to the Special Olympics of Texas and we are glad that we can partake in all of their events.

Awards Bestowed upon the Texas Iron Spikes