D3 WEEK DAY ONE: AMCC STUDENT-ATHLETES GIVE BACK TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
In between their busy academic and athletic schedules, AMCC student-athleletes 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 shopping for 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 student‑athletes head to the local elementary school twice a week to mentor and support young learners in their classrooms. The Pios 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 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, head men's basketball coach Rob deGrandpre 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.
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.
