Providence College Athletics

Providence College Student-Athlete Advisory Board Promotes Red Ribbon Week

Providence College Student-Athlete Advisory Board Promotes Red Ribbon Week

PC student-athletes team up with a local fourth-grade class to show their commitment to a drug-free America.

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Oct. 23, 2003

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) at Providence College has taken on another task within the local community and teamed up with a fourth-grade class from Robert F. Kennedy School (Providence, R.I.) to promote "Red Ribbon Week".

Red Ribbon Week exists on a national level and its purpose is to present a unified and visible commitment toward a drug-free America. Providence College student-athletes spent time talking with fourth-graders from Robert F. Kennedy about their stand against drugs at 11:00 a.m. on October 23 in Alumni Hall's Mullaney Gymnasium on the College's campus. After the speaking session, a number of Friar student-athletes, along with the children who participated in the event, placed red ribbons on trees and buildings throughout the PC campus.

The event featured several student-athletes who engaged in the discussion session with the fourth-grade class and included, junior Mark Rotella (Smithtown, N.Y.) of the men's lacrosse team, Michael Kerwin (Point Pleasant, N.J.) from men's swimming and Trisha Pollack (York, Maine) of the women's tennis team. Also in attendance during the discussion was Brooke Freeburg (Waterford, Pa.) of the women's basketball team, Sonny Watrous (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Christina Redmond (Dorchester, Mass.) of the women's ice hockey squad, Kevin Brooks (Stow, Mass.) from men's ice hockey, Patrick Hoey (Garden City, N.Y.) from men's lacrosse team and Caitlin Fogarty (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Jennifer Tyrrell (Far Hills, N.J.) of the women's tennis program.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) has helped to coordinate several events, thus far, during the fall semester. The student-athletes adopted Eaton Street during the 2002-03 academic year and recently hung a sign acknowledging their commitment to taking care of the street. Throughout the academic year, student-athletes set out to clean the street every Sunday morning while school is in session. The group also conducted an emergency food drive for the Smith Hill Center in Providence, R.I. that experienced a shortage in food. Each of the 19 varsity athletic programs were responsible for gathering non-perishable food items to help the center replenish its supply in an effort to help those who are less fortunate.