STANDISH, M.E. – The SUNYIT women's soccer team earned national recognition on Tuesday for their commitment to a community service project during the 2010-11 academic year. The team was among a handful of institutions recognized as part of the annual Jostens/NADIIIAA (National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators) Community Service Awards, to be presented at the NCAA Convention in Indianapolis on January 12th.
The women's team earned recognition for charity work benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Regarding the award, SUNYIT Athletic Director Kevin Grimmer had this to say in a statement released to faculty and staff:
"This is very good news - and a first for SUNYIT Athletics! Congratulations to Coach [Tyler] Renaud and the women's soccer team for raising $871.30 for the Central New York Ronald McDonald House in their first annual Ronald McDonald House Bowl-A-Thon."
The award will be presented for the team's work after gathering pledges during the 2010-11 season for a Bowl-A-Thon held at the Pin-O-Rama in Utica, NY. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the food pantry at the Ronald McDonald House, which houses families of ill children at no cost when the children are required to stay in area hospitals for an extended period of time.
Said women's coach Tyler Renaud, "Our objective was to show the team there is more to the intercollegiate experience than just attending class and performing on the soccer pitch. Raising money for a worthy cause and providing a fun environment to accomplish this goal made for an evening of laughs, team bonding, and reflection on the needs of our community."
Coach Renaud added that in his many years being involved with the charity, this was "the highest amount" any of his teams had ever raised. "And we actually had some solid bowling from a handful of our young ladies," added Renaud with a laugh.