SAAC Continues to Help in the Community

STORRS, CT (March 1) --The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at the University of Connecticut, a collection of about forty student athletes, continued their efforts to serve the University community and beyond. Using various platforms on and off campus, the members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee exemplified both caring and selflessness in their quest to better the greater Hartford area.

To start off the year, the student-athletes teamed up with the United Way to assist in the collection of coats at a home football game. This valuable time donated by the athletes was vital to the success of the Button-Up Connecticut Statewide Project. Extending their efforts elsewhere, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee utilized two home basketball games to collect canned food donations at the gates at Gampel Pavilion. A total of 20,000 fans passed through the doors over the course of these two days providing much needed exposure for both the Committee and the food drive.

Getting in the holiday spirit, members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee turned to their teammates for donations to be put towards a toy drive. Along with monetary donations, student-athletes also chose to purchase toys to be given to the Cornerstone Foundations and Tri-Town Shelter in Vernon, Connecticut. In turn a group of athletes traveled to Rockville to assist the Cornerstone Foundation in the distribution of these toys to underprivileged children. The children enjoyed interacting with the athletes through games, face painting and dancing. In another gesture of goodwill and generosity, the UConn softball team took it upon themselves to adopt a needy family for the holidays. Members of the team raised money to purchase and wrap toys to give to the family. Also, the team took time out of studying for finals in order to meet the family at their home and interact with the children.

The efforts put forth by the Committee are both extraordinary and sometimes overlooked. A typical day in the life of a student-athlete can include up to four hours of training, a full class schedule along with countless hours of studying. Thus, the athlete is left with little free time. Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chose to take this free time and use it towards the good of our community. Their altruistic attitudes and unwavering dedication to others deserves proper recognition.