CLEVELAND - The National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) has announced the recipients of the NADIIIAA Community Service Awards.

Each of the selected institutions is being recognized for the impressive community service projects performed by its student-athletes during the 2018-19 academic year.

The NADIIIAA Community Service Awards program, established in 2001, is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in four categories: One-Time Activity/Project (Salem College (NC)), Array of Projects (SUNY Oswego), On-going Project/Activity (Regis College (MA)) and Special Olympics Activity (Babson College).

In addition to presenting commemorative awards to the four winning institutions, NADIIIAA will make up to a $750 contribution to the general scholarship fund at each of these institutions. The awards will be presented during the NADIIIAA Reception at the NCAA Convention held at Anaheim Marriott on Saturday, January 25.

In addition to the winners, each category had a runner-up and third place finisher. Below are the 2019-20 NADIIIAA Community Service Award recipients:

One-Time Project Category (19 nominees)
Winner: Salem College (NC)
Salem College developed a new initiative to provide leadership opportunities to their student-athletes, along with all the college's first-year students. Students spent the morning in 15 locales, providing volunteer services such as tutoring in public schools, delivering Meals on Wheels, a Habitat build, painting and cleaning the Happy Hills Gardens Cemetery. Student-athletes and staff learned the broader context of systemic societal challenges and inequalities in our community. Click here to learn more! 

Runner-up: Aurora University
Over 200 student-athletes gathered for Aurora's Morning of Service, collecting native prairie seeds for redistribution to restore native prairies in the Fox Valley Area. The objective of the project was to work with the campus community on its morning of service to support the non-profits in the greater Aurora area. Aurora student-athletes helped 13 different organizations with projects for its Morning of Service.
(Learn more) 

Third place: Sarah Lawrence College  
Sarah Lawrence athletics joined local high schools for a 'Pride on the Court' event in partnership with Nike's "BETRUE" campaign. On the first day of the event, Sarah Lawrence hosted a panel discussion, highlighted by guest speaker Chris Mosier, an American transgender advocate and triathlete. Day two featured boys and girls high school basketball games, as well as men's and women's collegiate games. Proceeds benefited the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education (GLSEN). (Learn more) 
 
An Array of Projects Category (14 nominees)
Winner: SUNY Oswego
SUNY Oswego continues to have community engagement as part of its mission as an institution and an athletics department. Here are the projects that they have been assisting the community with: United Way Fundraisers, Special Olympics events, 13th Annual St. Baldrick's Day in Oswego County, All 24 Teams!, Men's home hockey games, Fight Cancer!, Various runs/walks, On-Campus, In the community and New, Raise-the-Bar Projects. Click here to learn more! 

Runner-up: Springfield College
Whether it is helping out on campus or locally in the community, Springfield student-athletes have accomplished so much over the last academic year including the following events: National Girls and Women in Sport Day Clinic, Fill the Bus Food Drive, Pen Pal Program, Special Olympics events, Team Impact events, Springfield CAN Program/Revitalize Springfield, Play Ball clinic, Track and Field day, food drive for Coast Guard Academy and Dream to Read program. (Learn more) 

Third place: Sarah Lawrence College 
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Campbell Sports Center and Godric the Gryphon, the college Mascot, Sarah Lawrence athletics set a goal of 20 community service projects during the 2018-19 athletics year. The various projects fell into several general categories: fundraising, Community Clean Up, inclusion events,  Youth clinics and Other Youth/Community Projects. (Learn more) 

On-Going Project Category (28 nominees)
Winner: Regis College (MA)
For the second consecutive year, Regis athletics spring teams successfully reached 1 million yards for the Yards for Yeardley campaign to raise awareness around sexual violence prevention and promoting healthy relationships on college campuses. Many other Regis student-athletes, students and community members helped contribute toward this campaign as well, making it one of the most successful service engagement activities we have had over the last several years. Click here to learn more!

Runner-up: The College of Brockport
During the annual football game between rivals St. John Fisher College and The College at Brockport, Camp Good Days selects honorary coaches and cheerleaders for both teams. The individuals selected are campers who have been diagnosed with cancer and normally would not be able to participate in a real football game. Annually, football student-athletes from both schools spend a day at Camp Good Days during the preseason. Over the past six years, this game has raised over $120,000. (Learn more) 

Third place: John Carroll University 
Through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the John Carroll 'Streaks to the Max' initiative began in 2016 and has raised over $36,000 to date for the Max Cure Foundation. The Foundation provides financial support to families in need who have a child battling cancer. In 2018, the program expanded to include 'Streaks to the Max: Buddy Program,' which partners children from University Hospital's Rainbow Babies to a John Carroll team. The children have a signing day and attend practices and events. (Learn more) 

Special Olympics Activity Category (13 nominees)
Winner: Babson College
For the second consecutive year, the Babson College Department of Athletics partnered with Special Olympics Massachusetts for a regional basketball tournament and community basketball games. Student-athletes and coaches volunteered as announcers, fans, referees, scorekeepers and timekeepers. In addition to games being played simultaneously, there was an opening ceremony, athlete village, hydration/snack station, press conference area, team meeting room and photo opportunities with the College's mascot. Click here to learn more!

Runner-up: Alfred State College
The Alfred State Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular is where over 100 student-athletes, the entire athletic department staff, and our campus community come together to provide an exciting day of running, jumping, and throwing events for local scholastic Special Olympians. More than 300 athletes and over 100 staff members from 12 area school districts took part in this daylong event. (Learn more) 
 
Third place: Averett University
Averett athletics hosts the Special Olympians of the Piedmont region in Virginia for a Fall Fun Day. All Averett sport teams set up stations and are paired up with a Special Olympian. The Special  Olympians get the chance to try new sports or to play the sport they love with the student-athletes. Roger Johnson, a Special Olympics Global Messenger who has cerebral palsy, spoke to the teams and reminded everyone that it is a privilege to be a student-athlete and that no matter what limitations you have, you can always find a way to overcome those and make a difference. (Learn more) 
 
About NADIIIAA: NADIIIAA athletics administrators from over 350 institutions and conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Association encourages the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational principles and the Division III philosophy. NADIIIAA is administered by NACDA, which is in its 55th year. For more information on NACDA, the 17 professional associations and/or three foundations it manages, please visit www.nacda.com.