Month of Giving: Student-Athletes Go Beyond the Buzzer Through Community Service Goals

"From the 20 to the 10, touchdown FAU!"

"She shoots, she scores! Owls win at the buzzer!"

"Third pitch coming. It's going, it's gone! Owls win in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off homerun!"

The student-athletes at Florida Atlantic University live for moments as such. Many of the Owls have been working toward the opportunity to compete at the next level since they first learned how to walk, pick up a bat, shoot a basket or stay afloat in the water. Their sport has gotten them through the good, the bad and everything in between.

To capitalize on the student-athletes' driven and competitive mindsets, FAU Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White, SACAE President Nick Swan and the academic department gave the student-athletes a challenge of completing a total of 5,000 community service hours throughout the academic year. In less than six months, the student-athletes are halfway to achieving their goal, with just over 2,500 hours accomplished.

"We were pretty close to 5,000 hours last year," said Leslie Chang, athletic academic counselor. "I think it's really important to develop [the student-athletes] as people, especially for when they leave [FAU]. They may not have a full resume due to how busy they are in their sport, but these volunteer hours can fill that void."

The Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence (SACAE) supports the FAU student-athletes by presenting them with the tools and opportunities to excel in the classroom and prepare for life after their playing days come to a close. With a solid student-athlete development program, SACAE provides a myriad of volunteer and community service opportunities for student-athletes to take part in throughout the year.

Student-athletes who are involved in the community can take away beneficial lessons that will stay with them beyond their playing days. The academic counselors and learning specialists in athletics can attest to this, as many of them were former student-athletes.

"I was a student-athlete and I think it's something that when I look back at my time, I don't necessarily remember wins and losses on the court or what I got on a paper," said Chang who played tennis at California State University – Northridge. "I remember going to student-athlete development events with my friends."

The student-athletes who have taken advantage of all the programs and events SACAE has to offer have had the opportunity to be more involved with athletics outside of their respective sports. Vice president of SACAE and senior cross-country runner John Marting credits SACAE for helping him develop into a more well-rounded person.

"[SACAE] is a lot about the complete student-athlete experience," said Marting. "Being out in the community and also building a community within athletics really adds to the total experience of being a student-athlete."

FAU student-athletes have been involved at various surrounding schools and organizations, as well as events on campus to showcase their Owl pride. The student-athletes have also built numerous friendships with the students at A.D. Henderson University School this past year through events, such as National School Lunch Week, Dad's Take Your Kids to School Day and middle school socials.

"As a student-athlete, no matter what sport you are, you have a platform," adds Marting. "I know when I was little, I was always looking up to the older kids, especially athletes."

It will only be a matter of months before the student-athletes will celebrate another victory, but this time off the field of competition. In November, the Owl student-athletes will continue to use their unique platform as leaders in the community to spread the holiday cheer through many gestures and initiatives.

"I think if we just keep doing what we are doing, we will easily reach our goal," added Chang. "I know they are all tired and have things to do as students but giving up that hour or so once a month can be so beneficial."

And the student-athletes have been willing to spend time in the community, leaving each event better than when they arrived.

If the student-athletes achieve their goal before the end of the year, they will continue to give back and stay involved in the community. The FAU student-athletes have shown that if you give them a goal, they will exceed expectations.

November Initiatives and Events

A.D. Henderson Day
The students of A.D. Henderson University School will take a field trip to the FAU Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. to watch the lady Owls face the Hampton University Pirates. There will be over 800 kids filling the arena to watch the women's basketball team square off in its first game of the season. The student-athletes across various teams will be in attendance to not only support members of their Owl family but have another opportunity to interact and build mentoring relationships with the A.D. Henderson students before and during the game.

Project Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive (Nov. 1-15)
Student-athletes, coaches and administration are encouraged to collect canned food items and bring them to the Tom Oxley Athletic Center for a final count on Thursday, Nov. 15. Many of the food items that will be donated are Thanksgiving staples, so families who may not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving dinner will have the opportunity to do so this year. After the food is collected, it will be delivered to those in need.

Hotel Toiletries Project
Throughout the year, travel teams will collect unused toiletries from their hotel rooms. When the academic year concludes, the student-athletes will donate the toiletries to a shelter of their choice.

The Giving Tree
Student-athletes, coaches and administration are encouraged to sponsor a child over the holiday season. All proceeds go directly to provide for the children who may not have access to some of the most basic necessities during the holidays.

FULL GALLERY

(11/5/2018) FAU Student Athletes in the Community

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