Providence College Athletics

Making A Difference With A Spirit Of Service

Making A Difference With A Spirit Of Service

By Robert G. Driscoll, Jr.

February

* December 18 Chat
* December
* September
* August 28 Chat
* May 29 Chat
* May
* January
* November
* October
* September

Over the past two years, one of our athletics department's primary goals was to become one of the most respected programs in the nation. I am proud to report that, thanks to the many outstanding contributions of our student-athletes, we are well on our way to achieving this goal.

I'm sure that you are all well aware how busy our student-athletes are in the playing arena and in the classroom, but did you know how active they are in serving our campus community and beyond?

The Friar Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) is a committee comprised of two athletes from each sport program. The members represent their respective teams at bi-weekly meetings run by elected student officers.The 2003-04 officers are president Bridget McKenna '04 (swimming and diving), vice president Jeff Smith '05 (soccer), secretary Trisha Pollock '04 (tennis), and treasurer Brooke Freeburg '03 (basketball and track), a graduate student. Each year, the committee defines its goals and works cooperatively with student-athletes, department administrators, and coaches to accomplish them.

The 2003-04 SAAB has been extremely active in an effort to reach its goal of engaging all of our student-athletes in service to help strengthen our campus and surrounding communities. During the fall and spring semesters, our student-athletes have continued their adoption of Eaton Street through a weekly cleanup program. When school is in session, student-athletes remove trash and debris from Eaton Street every Sunday afternoon.

Our student-athletes also have adopted the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island as their primary charity organization.Thus far, through various fundraising events, our Friar athletes have raised just over $2,000 to make a local child's wish come true.With much of the spring semester remaining, the athletes are well on their way to surpassing last year's contribution of $4,362.

In September, the group conducted an emergency food drive for the Capital City Community Centers in Providence. Each of the 19 varsity athletics programs gathered non-perishable food items to replenish the center's food supply in an effort to help our neighbors in need.

In October, PC student-athletes talked with fourth-graders from the nearby Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School about taking a stand against drugs. After the speaking portion of the program, student-athletes and the schoolchildren placed red ribbons on trees and buildings throughout the PC campus.

Plenty on the spring agenda, too The spring semester is proving to be just as busy as the fall semester.Throughout the semester, athletes will participate in a mentoring program at a local elementary school. In April, SAAB will hold its second annual student-athlete auction, with all proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island. Also in April, our athletes will travel all over Greater Providence to visit elementary schools for National Reading is Fun Week.

Late spring will also bring an opportunity to donate a large collection of personal hygiene products to a local women's shelter.As our sport programs have traveled over the course of the academic year, student-athletes have collected unused soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and other toiletries from their hotel stays.

As you can see, we have many reasons to be proud of our Friar student-athletes. They continue to represent the very best that college athletics has to offer.

GO FRIARS!