By John Martin/ MicroMemphis Reporter

Zach Stark realizes it’s a mostly unorthodox cause.

Stark, who mans the recreational center at St. John’s Episcopal Church at the corner of Greer and Central, and his church have started an ongoing drive called “Wipes 4 Workouts.”

But he’s hoping the community in the district rallies just as they would for a food drive or anything like it.

“It’s kind of self-explanatory,” Stark said. “We have a lot of people who come in and work out in our facilities, and lots of times these are people who don’t come from privilege or a silver-spoon background. Our operation here is modest, so we need all the help we can get.”

By John Martin/ MicroMemphis Reporter

Manaf Baddar had heard all about the city of Memphis before he even arrived.

It was hospitable, cultured, diverse, and it came with its warts. He heard about the great musical history of the city that’s nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, and he’d heard about the pitfalls – crime, humidity and a thick racial tension even in the 21st century.

So when he moved from his native land of Jordan to Memphis, and specifically the University District, this fall, he had a firm idea of what to expect.

“I did my research before I picked the place, and school, obviously,” Baddar said. “But none of that told me just how welcomed I would be.”

Baddar, 27, came to Memphis for school – he was intrigued by the business program at the University of Memphis, and his family was already familiar with the campus having also sent his older brother, Omar, to the school a few years back.

By John Martin/ MicroMemphis Reporter

Normal protocol for the University of Memphis men’s soccer team is as follows: The team practices around 3:30 in the afternoon, and depending on the week and the team’s class schedules, on Tuesday mornings between 6 and 7 a.m.

The women’s team, which has enjoyed vast success under coach Brooks Monaghan, comes in after the men and work its morning practices around them, as well.

But there’s a problem: The reason there is no set daily schedule is because there are no lights. Despite fielding nationally competitive men’s and women’s teams annually, the soccer facility on campus has no lighting.

“It limits the time we’re able to practice,” senior defender JJ Greer said. “Basically, we are limited from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then you have to throw in there guys’ class times, which limits it even more.”

That the soccer programs on campus are forced to haggle over the use of the practice field so as to avoid the sun setting on them as they practice, makes the situation even more complicated. A new soccer facility, however, is part of the U of M’s master plan for the Park Avenue campus, which is just south of the University District. The goal is to have it ready by 2016.