More Than a Game: York Students Find Connection, Community and Belonging at Citi Field

There really is nothing quite like a baseball game on a warm summer night. For York College students, the Center for Students with Disabilities’ annual trip to Citi Field has become a special summer tradition, bringing students together for an evening of baseball, friendship, and community.

On Monday, August 17, York students and staff from the Center for Students with Disabilities were joined by members of the York College Student Government Association (SGA), the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD), the University Student Senate (USS), and fellow CUNY students for an exciting evening at Citi Field to watch the New York Mets take on the San Diego Padres. It was an especially exciting evening for several York students who were attending their first baseball game ever.

The Mets gave the group plenty to cheer about, securing an unexpected victory while making Major League Baseball history. Mets outfielders tagged out three Padres baserunners at home plate, the first time a team had accomplished the feat in more than 100 years.

But the evening was about much more than what happened on the field. Students had the chance to meet and connect with peers from York and across CUNY, enjoy Citi Field’s food and atmosphere, and simply spend time together outside of the classroom. For some, it was a new experience. For others, it was an opportunity to strengthen friendships and create new ones. Most importantly, the evening gave students the opportunity to feel connected to a broader community while enjoying one of Queens’ quintessential summer experiences.

Opportunities like this give students the chance to build confidence, practice communication and social skills, experience greater independence, and discover new interests in an inclusive environment. These moments of connection and participation complement the learning that takes place in the classroom and contribute to a well-rounded college experience.

For CSD, creating opportunities for students to connect, participate, and feel a strong sense of belonging is an important part of supporting student success.

It was the perfect way to wrap up the summer and welcome the start of the 2026 Fall semester. Our Cardinals enjoyed a memorable night at Citi Field, and we look forward to seeing that same energy and enthusiasm carry into the new academic year.