Rose-Hulman Student Athlete Advisory Committee Receives National Service Award
Release courtesy of Rose-Hulman
TERRE HAUTE, IN -- The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will receive an honorable mention community service award from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) this weekend at the NCAA National Convention.
The award, sponsored by Jostens, will be presented to athletic director Jeff Jenkins in San Antonio, Texas. Rose-Hulman was one of just 14 NCAA Division III institutions honored this year.
The SAAC award resulted from the organization's efforts in its annual community service project for those affected by the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that occurred one year ago today.
The SAAC collection drive actually began as a small community service project that was announced at midday on Jan. 12, three hours prior to the earthquake hitting Haiti. The Rose-Hulman campus community responded to the tragedy by donating goods, specifically clothing and shoes, to the effort. Several organizations within the Terre Haute and Wabash Valley communities also provided donations that later amassed more than 75 bags and more than 2,400 pounds of items.
"This drive began as a small project to help a friend and staff member collect clothes to take to Haiti for a mission trip that was eventually postponed, but this turned into much more once the earthquake hit Haiti," said Rose-Hulman SAAC advisor Brenda Goble. "The Rose-Hulman campus, Wabash Valley residents and our SAAC committee responded to hopefully make a real difference to those in desperate need of supplies."
In addition to the effort involving Haiti, additional goods such as sweaters, boots and coats that were received in the drive will be donated to the Salvation Army of the Wabash Valley, to help those within the local community.
The Rose-Hulman SAAC consists of one student leader from each of Rose-Hulman's 21 varsity sports teams along with increased involvement from other student-athletes and campus organizations. The committee is designed to raise student-athlete concerns, issues and questions within the Rose-Hulman athletic department, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III athletics.
