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 2021-22 academic year.
 
The awards recognition will take place at the NADIIIAA reception taking place in conjunction with the NCAA Convention on Friday, January 13, 2023, in San Antonio at 5:00 pm CT. In addition to presenting commemorative awards to the three winning institutions, NADIIIAA will make up to a $1,000 contribution to the general scholarship fund at each of these institutions.  

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 three categories: One-Time Activity/Project (East Texas Baptist University), Array of Projects (Oberlin College), and Special Olympics Activity (Lake Forest College).

In addition to the winners, each category had a runner-up and third place finisher(s). Below are the 2021-22 NADIIIAA Community Service Award recipients:

One-Time Project Category 
Winner: East Texas Baptist University
Seven of the ETBU athletics teams volunteered to assist with tornado recovery efforts in March, after a tornado ripped through the East Texas town of Gilmer, Texas. Assistance was provided with picking up and removing debris, tree trimming and home repairs. Click here to learn more! 

Runner-up: Lake Forest College
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) and Lake Forest College athletics department has hosted the "The Sleds are Coming," sled hockey event every winter at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse Ice Rink since 2011, donating the facility usage and providing giveaway items. The on-ice competition consists of three 12-minute, 5 on 5 sled hockey games, featuring members of the GLASA Falcons. Women's and men's hockey members helped push sleds, SAAC members created signs for GLASA athletes with names and numbers, and athletic teams spilt up into Black and White to cheer on the respective GLASA scrimmage teams. (Learn more) 

Third place: Keuka College
Keuka College's entire athletics department participated in a COVID friendly parade to honor their community veterans on Veteran's Day. In the weeks leading up to the event the teams were assigned registered Veteran's, and they spent time making personalized posters and writing meaningful cards for their Veterans. Our teams then lined the campus-wide parade route to cheer, celebrate, and honor their veterans. (Learn more) 

Array of Projects Category 
Winner: Oberlin College
Oberlin College recorded over 2,000 hours of combined projects and activities between a total of 1,232 student-athletes on campus. The activities ranged from participating in Helping Hands with each team sponsoring a family in need over the holiday season, to hosting a community wide trick or treat for the kids in the community, to teaming up with SC4K (Shoes and Clothes for Kids, raising $45,000), and many more activities. Click Here to learn more! 

Runner-up: St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland student-athletes spent time throughout the year participating in several community service activities for several different causes. These activities included each team adopting a family for the December holidays, hosting a mental health awareness week to help increase awareness and provide resources for mental health struggles, hosting a Thanksgiving canned food drive for the surrounding community, and several more activities. (Learn more) 

Third place: Arcadia University
Arcadia University logged hundreds of hours throughout the year giving back to their community. Some activities involved included hosting a clinic with the Phillies Urban Youth Academy, working with Ideate and Philly Esports to help gamers with disabilities gain exposure to the esports community, taking time to clean up Stony Creek, and far more. (Learn more) 

Special Olympics Activity Category 
Winner: Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College's athletics department hosted the 2022 Special Olympics Region B Aquatic Meet
in March 2022. Special Olympic swimmers from local areas competed in their respective divisions to qualify for the Illinois State Summer Games that were held in Normal, Illinois In June 2022. The Region B swim meet saw 55 athletes qualify for the Summer Games. Forester student-athletes assisted with every aspect of the meet, including timing, escorting swimmers to and from events, lifeguarding, medal ceremonies, as well as announcing. Forester student-athletes and staff represent 100% of the Region B meet's volunteers. Click here to learn more!
 
Runner-up: Alfred State College
The Alfred State College Special Olympics event is an annual event held at Pioneer Stadium on Alfred State College's campus. Run by the Alfred State athletics department administrators, coaches and student-athletes. It has impacted the community in more ways than anyone can quantify. The student-athletes, coaches, and administrator of 15 teams at Alfred State look forward to putting their time towards a great cause every year. (Learn more) 
 
Third place (tie): Denison University
Denison University's athletics department hosted a three-hour field day on April 3rd with Licking County Special Olympics. This event included swimming, track and field, cheer, weightlifting, volleyball, and basketball. Throughout the event, student-athletes from all 26 teams helped with the different stations and moving the Special Olympians. (Learn more) 

Third place (tie): Arcadia University
140 Arcadia University student-athletes volunteered over 280 hours split between Special Olympics
volleyball practices, a tournament, and a Sports Fest in April 2022. 45 Montgomery County Rotary
special athletes joined members of Arcadia Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for a day of sports,
food, and fun as members from various athletics teams volunteered time for the event that included volleyball, soccer, swimming, basketball, and relay races. The day also included dancing, lunch, and other fun activities. Throughout the school year, Arcadia's athletic teams rotated time volunteered every Thursday hosting volleyball practice for two hours with the Montgomery County Special Olympics in Bryn Athyn. That time spent culminated in a volleyball tournament on December 11, with 25 Arcadia student-athlete volunteers. (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 58th year. For more information on NACDA, the 18 professional associations and/or three foundations it manages, please visit www.nacda.com.