Coastal Carolina University student athletes know how devastating a flood can be.

That’s why a group of athletes from the university are collecting cleaning supplies, water and canned goods to take to Lafayette, Louisiana, where flooding has devastated the community and much of the surrounding area.

“With the floods that we experienced here in Myrtle Beach last year, we all know and understand the effects a flood can have on not only our personal lives but also our professional lives,” said Cari Rosiek, an Associate Athletics Director at the university.

Flooding in Southern Louisiana began in August when a stationary storm dumped more than two feet of water in some areas, with peak rainfall in some locations estimated to be as high as 31 inches. In many parts of Southern Louisiana, residents are still displaced from their houses.

When Rosiek realized the extent of the damage to the area, she suggested that the university begin collecting supplies for the victims of the flooding, and she felt that student athletes should get involved. Knowing that a fellow Sun Belt Conference member, the University of Louisiana Lafayette, was in the area affected, she was even more convinced that it was the right thing to do.

“We have a mission within our Department of Athletics to not only strive for excellence in academics and athletics, but also within our community,” Rosiek said. “This project seemed like one we could do very quickly and create an impact immediately with the people of Lafayette.”

Coastal Women’s Lacrosse player and senior Jenna Stover heard about the project and knew that it was something she wanted to help organize.

“I jumped on board because I think it’s a great idea to help out with cleaning supplies,” Stover said.

Many people will donate food or clothes when disaster strikes, but cleaning supplies aren’t always high on that list even though they are badly needed, Stover pointed out.

“Maybe they don’t have time to go out and buy these cleaning supplies, and it can get costly,” she said.

So Stover worked with Rosiek to help organize the cleaning supply drive.

Stover, along with other student athletes and staff members, began collecting supplies in preparation for a big push that started Thursday morning.

“We’re having a Day of Giving today from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.,” Stover said Thursday morning.

And while their drop-in drive is over for the day, they are still collecting supplies.

According to Rosiek, collection will continue until the time of kickoff for Saturday’s football game at 7 p.m. Donations will also be taken at the soccer game and CCU Cross Country Invite, both on Friday, or at any time at Arcadia Hall on the campus of the university.

Monetary donations can also be given at www.goccusports.com.

A list of items that are most needed is also on the website.

“Anyone can contact me if they have questions,” Rosiek said. “We are grateful for any and all donations we can get.”

Rosiek said that people can contact her by telephone at (843) 349-4126 or through email at cari@coastal.edu.

A personal connection

Amy Haggard is an administrator in Coastal Carolina University’s Psychology and Sociology Department.

But a handful of years ago, Haggard was a soccer player at Coastal who had teammates from the area of Louisiana that is currently affected by flooding. Because of that, she dropped off paper towels and other supplies Thursday morning.

“It affects me,” Haggard said. “I played soccer with some girls here who are from the area, so I knew it would be a good opportunity to give back.”

That same willingness to help is something Rosiek said was instilled in her when she played softball at Coastal.

“When I came here in 1995 it was instilled in me that part of being a Chanticleer was to give back,” Rosiek said. “To be a part of it in a professional manner today, many years later, with these student athletes is a heartwarming experience.”

Rosiek noted that the social media response from Coastal alumni has been great as well, with former Coastal students from across the country sending monetary donations to help out.

It isn’t just alumni or people from far away who are getting involved, either.

Ty Anthony, executive vice president at Lewis Truck Lines, offered his company’s support as well.

“We have to give big props to Lewis Truck Lines, because they’re donating the trailer, the driver, and the entire detail to get this product to Lafayette,” Rosiek said.

“We are very excited that Coastal asked us to participate,” Anthony said.

LeRoy and Dianne LeMaster, owners of Lewis Truck LInes, are big Coastal supporters.

The opportunity to help people who have been affected by the flooding was something Anthony and Lewis Truck Lines couldn’t pass up.

“We deliver loads down there on a weekly basis so we’re able to assist people there, and we’re grateful they asked us to be able to assist those in need,” Anthony said. “It allows us to be able to give back, as well.”

A personal delivery

Once the cleaning supplies and other donations have been collected, they will be delivered to the United Way of Acadiana, which serves the St. Martinville and Vermilion Parishes in the Lafayette area.

The President of the United Way of Acadiana, Margaret Trahan, is grateful for the aid.

“This is an amazing effort on the part of student athletes at CCU,” she said. “We are so grateful to them for this truly significant gesture of solidarity with those who have endured the devastating floods in Louisiana.

“We may be competitors on fields of play, but we are brothers united by a common understanding of human need,” she continued.

According to Trahan, thousands of homes in the Acadiana region were affected by the floods.

“Over 17,000 households in the Acadiana region alone were impacted by the floods,” she said. “Many homes have already been gutted, thanks to willing hands and the donated supplies to make this possible.”

There’s still more to be done, though.

“There are thousands more households in Louisiana in need,” Trahan said. “Supplies from CCU will aid in the cleanup process that is now underway.”

When the truck gets to Lafayette, representatives from Coastal will be there to help distribute the supplies to those in need.

“The truck is going to leave on Sunday to drive to Louisiana,” Stover said. “We’re going to fly out Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. and hand it out personally.”

Rosiek said that the university will be sending her, six to eight student athletes and another administrator to Louisiana so that they can see the people who need the supplies face to face.

While it will be a short trip – the students and staff will be back Wednesday for classes – it should be impactful.

“My ultimate hope is that when we arrive in Lafayette, for these student athletes to get the hands-on experience, to meet the people they’re going to assist,” Rosiek said. “I think that’s going to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their entire career here while they’re at Coastal.”

Source: http://www.myhorrynews.com/news/local/conway/article_ea7e3f24-75e4-11e6-9dcc-877659d35e01.html

42 Panthers made the early morning trip to Scranton Elementary to welcome students and staff. Great work Panthers!

To see the photos and learn more: http://lakecityathletics.org/2016/09/09/scranton-elementary-visit-gallery/

As the 2016-17 school year gets underway, the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team took time away from their studies and basketball workouts to volunteer Tuesday afternoon at the Newport Primary School.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our guys to impact young people,” stated John Brannen, NKU men’s basketball head coach. “One of our core values is sacrifice. Being able to take the platform that we have as men’s basketball players and members in this community to impact young people is where it starts for us.”

Members of the team spent time in first and second grade classrooms, where they helped with everything from reading and writing to math, music and physical education. The student-athletes were also asked to talk to the Newport students about hard work.
“It’s very important for our students to see that hard work will get you somewhere,” said Josh Snapp, Newport Primary School Principal. “The student-athletes spoke to our students about the value of hard work and that hard work can take you places you’ve never experienced. Newport is the world to our students and they need to understand the world is larger than Newport. It takes a village to raise a child and it was great to have the NKU men’s basketball team help with that today.”

Snapp continued, “I also feel the men’s basketball players gained from volunteering with our students. In working with the first and second graders they can see that this is where they came from, which helps to put all of their hard work and success into perspective.”

Redshirt sophomore Jeff Garrett spent time working one-on-one with students on some of their math skills, but it was the ability to see the larger picture that resonated with Garrett.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Garrett. “It took me back to the days when I was in school sitting in those seats and someone would come in and help me with my math, drawing or just have a conversation with me.”
Sophomore Brandon Maxwell joined one session of music, where he helped students learn the Star Spangled Banner. Sophomore Brennan Gills, freshmen Mason Faulkner and Carson Williams and Coach Brannen assisted students with a variety of exercises during gym class, including rock climbing, balance beam and medicine ball toss.

However, freshman Blake Spellman stole the show when he broke out his dancing skills to a song about counting to 100.

“It was amazing just to be able to bring a smile to the kids’ faces,” said Spellman. “Being able to be there, talk to them, draw with them and interact with them was just amazing.”
NKU men’s basketball has a rich tradition of community service. Last year, the team amassed just shy of 200 hours helping out in the community.

From NKU Athletic Communications
Source: http://www.rcnky.com/articles/2016/08/30/nku-mens-basketball-players-volunteer-work-young-newport-students

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – On Wednesday, August 31, Wesleyan University welcomed approximately 844 new, transfer, international and exchange students and their families to the Wesleyan community. Several Cardinal student-athletes were there to help those students and their families move in.

“We want our student-athletes involved in community service and this is an opportunity to make our newest Cardinals feel at home on campus,” said Director of Athletics, Mike Whalen ’83. “We’ve been doing this for six years now and the first-years and their parents appreciate it.

“We hope they’ll come out and support us at our games, and it’s important to welcome them and show them that Wesleyan is a great community to be a part of.”

The 2016-17 athletics season begins next Tuesday, Sept. 6 when the men’s soccer team travels to Willimantic, Conn. to face Eastern Connecticut State University at 4 p.m. The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 7, the women’s soccer team hosts UMass Boston at 4:30 p.m. for the first athletic contest on campus in the new academic year.

Source: http://athletics.wesleyan.edu/general/2016-17/releases/20160901osxreu

MEDIA, Pa. — Students at Penn State Brandywine started the 2016-17 academic year with three community service projects that fostered positive change in both Delaware and Chester counties.
During the campus’s New Student Orientation, incoming freshmen worked in teams to make nearly 50 blankets for local community members in need. Later, the Penn Staters hand-delivered the blankets to Cityteam Chester, which provides support for people living in poverty by supplying meals, shelter and clothing.

Associate Director of Student Affairs Stephanie Jones, who helped organize the service effort, said that the project showed incoming freshmen the campus’ “commitment to community engagement.”
“I believe this service opportunity was meaningful for students because they were able to witness firsthand how the blankets they created would be utilized,” she said. “By delivering the items themselves, students learned about the resources and services provided by Cityteam Chester.”

First-year students in Associate Professor of Psychology Pauline Guerin’s Introduction to Psychology class spent a day volunteering their time at Pete’s Produce Farm in West Chester. The honors students picked and packed vegetables that were later donated to the Chester County Food Bank in Exton.

According to the food bank’s website, more than 180,000 pounds of mixed vegetables are grown at Springton Manor Farm, Pete’s Produce Farm and other area farms. The vegetables are then sent to the food bank for distribution to those in need of food assistance in Chester County.

“As new students to Penn State Brandywine, teaching our freshmen the value of contributing to our local community is an important first step,” Guerin said. “We always need to know what our local context is.”
Penn State Brandywine Athletics started the 2016-17 athletic year with a community service competition. Each Brandywine sports team was tasked with collecting school supplies that were later donated to schools in Chester through the Second Time Around Parents program. In total, nearly 600 school supply items were donated by 150 student-athletes, and the women’s volleyball team won the competition with the most items collected.

“It makes me extremely proud to see all of our teams come together for a good cause,” said Assistant Athletic Director Bobbi Caprice. “It’s important that our student-athletes not only succeed academically and athletically but also grow socially.”

Source: http://brandywine.psu.edu/story/4530/2016/09/02/brandywine-students-kick-fall-semester-community-service