The UL Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball team is learning just how important giving back to the community that supports them is, as first-year head coach Garry Brodhead and his coaching staff is placing a strong emphasis on not only serving but as well as being visible within the community.

So much so that the Ragin’ Cajuns have performed more than 115 hours of community service since Brodhead was hired as the new leader of the women’s basketball program in April.

"I think our team has learned to give is a lot more important than to receive," Brodhead said. "We really want to be out in the community giving back, because our community means so much to us. I want our athletes not to think about what they can do for UL, but instead what can they do for the community."

The Cajuns have performed community service throughout the Acadiana area since April and most recently participated in the United Way of Acadiana Day of Action, where they traveled to the Granberry Boys and Girls Club to read books, sing songs and other enrichment activities.

"We want to be vital to the community," Ragin’ Cajuns assistant coach Sallie Guillory said. "We want to show the community that we are here to serve. We’re always preaching to our athletes to be servant leaders and there is no better way to do that than to serve your community."

Brodhead and Guillory along with assistant coaches Deacon Jones and Jennifer Sullivan and their players are already committed for at least two other community service events including Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity.

"I believe that our team has responded well to the community service," Guillory said. "Like anything it’s a process. They have to experience something and then see the success from it. They are definitely seeing the impact that they can have on the community."

Brodhead stated the players have relished in the opportunity to give back to the community and have enjoyed the response they’ve received from everyone they’ve come into contact with.

"To be able to do something like this on this level is awesome," Brodhead said. "When our team puts their uniform on and they walk through the doors to give back, they are so excited because the kids are screaming and are so excited. Our team sees the impact they can have and it makes them feel good to know that they can have that type of impact in the community."

Although they are committed to a couple of other community service opportunities, Brodhead and Guillory agree there is no timetable for them to stop.

"We don’t have a goal or a set number of community service hours that we are trying to reach," Guillory said. "We have told the team, we don’t want to count the hours; we want to make the hours count."

Follow prep editor Eric Narcisse on Twitter  @tdanarcisse.