ORLANDO – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl have announced Boston College (BC) as the winner of the 2025 Community Service Award today during the 2025 NACDA & Affiliates Convention.

The Community Service Award will be presented by NACDA and the Fiesta Bowl this fall, at an on-campus event hosted by BC.
 
Now in its ninth year, the Fiesta Bowl Community Service award was designed to recognize NACDA member institutions in Division I honoring exceptional athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA aided in selecting Boston College as this year's award winner. The BC athletics department will receive a trophy from the Fiesta Bowl for permanent display on campus.
 
"Boston College, under the leadership of Blake James, stood above all in terms of the thoughtful and impactful efforts to assist their communities this year," said Erik Moses, Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO. "Boston College's 700+ student-athletes used their platform to raise the spirits and enhance the lives of youth, adults and seniors across their community's population. Through all of the rapid changes in collegiate athletics, we hope that universities and their athletic departments continue to value and provide opportunities for student-athletes' to serve the community."
 
At Boston College, their identity as "Men and Women for Others" is more than a motto—it is a guiding principle that shapes everything they do. Their commitment to service is not only about giving back; it's about building meaningful connections, promoting equity, and creating inclusive opportunities that foster cultural understanding. Through this shared mission, BC unites to make a tangible difference across a range of critical areas, including hunger relief, education, health and wellness, equality, sustainability, and mentorship. Boston College proudly completed 24,888 hours of service, contributing an estimated $833,482 in economic impact. These outcomes reflect not only our dedication, but the extraordinary power of community when united in purpose.
 
This year, their collective efforts made a measurable impact. At the Allston/Brighton Food Pantry, BC helped move and organize more than 100,000 pounds of food this year through volunteering monthly, assisting with community meal preparation. Boston College supported Cradles to Crayons by organizing essential toiletries for needy individuals and provided over 3,642 Thanksgiving meals to families facing food insecurity. Through their participation in the Adopt-a-Child Holiday Program, BC donated gifts to more than 120 children, helping to bring joy during the holiday season.
 
Boston College's focus on health and wellness was equally strong. They ran in the Red Bandana 5K to raise funds for youth sports programs, hosted the Project Life event to add over 500 individuals to the national bone marrow registry, and led a "Be the Match" drive that added donors of color to the national blood registry. BC also celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day by introducing over 400 girls to 16 different sports and participating in the St. Columbkille Race to Educate, raising funds for academic scholarships.
 
This year, Boston College continued making their mark on the environment. The teams participated in a local cleanup at Chandler Pond, removed waste from surrounding parklands, and took part in an Arbor Day tree-planting event to support campus environmental initiatives.
 
Mentorship remained a cornerstone of BC's service. They welcomed students from Mothers for Justice and Equality for campus tours and a student-athlete panel, fostering dialogue and inspiration. Through their Pen Pal mentorship program with Boston middle schools, Boston College built lasting relationships through regular correspondence. Their outreach continued with strong partnerships through the BC Campus School, Best Buddies, Team Impact, and Special Olympics—organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Boston College also collaborated with Boston Catholic Charities to mentor youth and support the reintegrating of individuals from marginalized backgrounds. In partnership with the Read Aloud literacy initiative, BC visited a local middle school twice a month to share the joy of reading and promote literacy development.
 
By year's end, Boston College proudly completed 24,888 hours of service, contributing an estimated $833,482 in economic impact. These outcomes reflect not only their dedication, but the extraordinary power of community when united in purpose.
 
About Fiesta Sports Foundation: Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram. 
 
About NACDA: Now in its 60th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.