Springfield, Mass. -– January 24, 2011 -– Springfield College has been selected to receive three highly-coveted Jostens/NADIIIAA Community Service Awards for projects completed during the 2009-2010 academic year. All three awards were presented on Saturday, January 15 at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.This prestigious awards program is co-sponsored by the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators and by Jostens, and is intended to recognize the many contributions that Division III student-athletes make to their communities. The purpose is to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
The College was first presented the Jostens/NADIIIAA Award of Merit in the “Array of Projects/Activities” category. Secondly, the College was presented an honorable mention Award of Merit in the One-Time Project Activity category. And thirdly, the College was presented an honorable mention Award of Merit in the On-Going Project/Activity category.
Springfield College was the only Division III college or university in America honored three times this year. Two others were honored twice. A total of 14 colleges and universities nationally received Awards of Merit from Jostens/NADIIIAA in three separate categories.
Springfield College has now earned at least one Jostens/NADIIIAA Award in six of the last seven years. In that span, SC has won a total of nine Awards of Merit, anywhere from a first place trophy to an honorable mention plaque.
In 2009-10, Springfield College participated in over 40 different projects. On October 5, 2009, over 700 student-athletes from 26 varsity teams were involved in the College’s annual Humanics in Action Day. Projects during that day included: cleaning up local elementary and middle schools, raking and mowing lawns, general clean-up, painting decks, and reading to fourth graders. All geared to improve the local community, those projects lasted approximately four hours.
Some of the other student-athlete-driven projects throughout the year included tutoring local elementary and high school students; setting up benefits for the United Way, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Open Pantry Homeless Shelter and Teen Living Program in Springfield, the Adopt-A-Family Program, Habitat for Humanity, cancer awareness, and Haiti relief. SC students also helped to implement an anti-bullying campaign in the Springfield school system.
“We are very honored and appreciative of receiving such outstanding awards,” said Dr. Cathie A. Schweitzer, Springfield College’s Director of Athletics. “It was very humbling to receive it on behalf of our students. The mission of Springfield College is to ‘educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity by building upon a foundation of humanics and academic excellence.’ Community service is a large part of this mission. It helps to prepare our students for a life of helping others.
“I have been most proud of how often and to what extent our student-athletes participate in community service on a regular basis,” said Schweitzer. “Our intercollegiate teams remain integral parts of service to our local communities. As for this award, it will send a loud message for generations of Springfield College student-athletes to come about how there is personal satisfaction and educational value inherent in community service.”
The NADIIIAA is an association comprised of athletics administrators from the 437 institutions and 40 conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. Minneapolis-based Jostens is a leading provider of products, programs, and services that help people celebrate important moments, recognize achievements, and build affiliations.
