In between their busy academic and athletic schedules, AMCC student-athletes have also been busy giving back to their communities this year. On Day One of Division III week, the AMCC would like to share a summary of what the students-athletes of the conference have been up to this year.
Each year, the Alfred State College SAAC comes together to support a local family in need during the holidays. The Pioneer student athletes donate across all sports to buy food for a full holiday meal, while also purchasing gifts for every member of the family. This year, they sponsored a family of five—a mom and her four kids. Additionally, throughout the month of March, Pioneer studentathletes headed to the local elementary school twice a week to mentor and support young learners in their classrooms. The A-State athletes are also currently collecting new school supplies—pens, pencils, backpacks, and more—from students, faculty, and staff across campus. All donations will go to the Hornell School District, which has the highest childhood poverty rate in the county.
The Carlow University student-athletes have been busy with a multitude of service activities throughout the year. During Mercy Service Day, first-year students head to various locations in the surrounding area to complete service projects. Additionally, the Celtic softball team hosted a clinic for the Boys & Girls clubs of Western Pennsylvania, the women's cross country team volunteered with girls on the run and the women's volleyball team volunteered at the Global Links packing medical supplies for distribution to different communities. Carlow student-athletes also participated in the Congregation Beth Shalom Sports Luncheon where they played games and served meals to community members with disabilities.
Hilbert College had multiple sports teams sponsor different events to raise awareness for cancers. The Hilbert softball team took part in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 18 at Buffalo's Outer Harbor. The Hawks served as greeters, parking attendants, and route marshals - cheering on and supporting participants and their family members who are living with, fighting through, or surviving breast cancer. On October 21, the Hawks volleyball team hosted its annual Dig Pink Night when they faced Pitt-Bradford. Both teams showed their support through themed apparel and spirited play. In collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hilbert provided educational flyers, goodie bags, and awareness items. The team also sold tribute ribbons for display, featuring messages of hope and remembrance for those currently battling or lost to the disease. Since the 2013–14 season, the men's basketball program has used the team's opening Tip-Off Tournament as an opportunity to support the Buffalo City Mission. Now in its 12th year, the Hawks Against Hunger Tournament has generated a total of $3,328.05 in donations, translating into 1,572 meals for individuals in need. Fans demonstrated their generosity once again during this year's two-day event, which featured host Hilbert College, St. John Fisher University, Covenant College, and tournament champion Waynesburg University.
La Roche University student-athletes celebrated the Festival of Lights on December 5 by setting up an activity for the kids in the Pittsburgh community to play and win stickers and medals. They had over 200 kids stop by their table to play the Reindeer Wreath Toss game. On December 13, the Redhawks women's basketball team partnered with the Best of the Batch organization where they took a trip and volunteered during winter break to help wrap gifts during Christmastime with Charlie Batch. The women's lacrosse team hosted a Morgan's Message game on Friday, April 3 in support of Mental Health in Athletics. Lastly, the Redhawks also have several events planned for D3 Week, including the women's lacrosse game Play for a Cause, a softball mental health awareness game, and a Pie-A-Redhawk fundraiser where a portion of the money raised will go to a local charitable organization.
The Mount Aloysius College women's soccer team hosted a "Teal Out" game in the fall to help spread awareness and raise money for the fight against ovarian cancer. The Mountie men's volleyball team read to children for Read Across America week at Children's Express Daycare in Cresson, PA. The men's volleyball team also hosted a Men's Mental Health Awareness game March 31 to help break the stigma and also sold t-shirts to raise money for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). NAMI is dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
The Penn State Altoona SAAC continued its relationship with the Blair County Food Drive, setting up at Sam's Club and asking the community for support. This food drive also supports the student pantry on campus, Ivyside Eats. Also, with the help of SAAC, the Lions have set up a pantry in Adler Athletic Complex for easier access to student-athletes. Additionally, the Altoona men's basketball team recently coached and officiated at the McCauliffe Elementary Staff vs Student game, which was raising awareness for veteran's suicide prevention.
The Penn State Behrend baseball team participated in their annual Habitat for Humanity project on Monday, November 17. The baseball program players and coaches provided demolition work on a home that Habitat for Humanity will resurrect. In addition to their work with Habitate for Humanity, the Lion baseball program participated in a "No Shave" November to raise attention and money for Grady's Decision. Grady's Decision was created to help families experiencing premature births as well as those families with children needing specialized medical attention. Grady's Decision can assist with parking costs, food, housing and transportation needs.
Pitt-Bradford student-athletes have been busy with a multitude of projects, including the Special Olympics Swimming Invitational, the UPB Care Clinic, the Pitt-Bradford Youth in Sports Day, and the Remembrance Walk. The men's lacrosse team also took some time to teach the game to some local youth, while the UPB Athletic Department honored local veterans by hosting their annual Veterans Day breakfast. Additionally, senior baseball student-athlete Trent Bielak was recognized for his giving character and community impact. Bielak was one of nine players nationwide to be named to the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team by the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the Live Like Lou Foundation.
The Pitt-Greensburg men's basketball team hosted the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (SOPA) for a basketball camp, then invited the SOPA athletes to play a game during halftime of one of their home games.
