The 24 Oswego State athletic programs were recognized once again for their outstanding commitment to community service, as they were recently awarded the second place Award of Merit from the National Administrators of Division III Athletic Directors (NADIIIA), sponsored by Jostens.
This award is the 11th earned by the Laker teams in the past nine years. In that time, the athletic department has received six first-place awards, two second-place honors, and three honorable-mention finishes.
Highlighting the department's activity during the 2016-17 school year were some 54 different projects and events, including annual support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Special Olympics events both in Fulton and on campus, the annual Yards for Yeardley and Teal Walks, fundraisers for Trinity Catholic School and Buc Boosters and many more.
Approximately 37 different charities and organizations were benefitted by Oswego's community service efforts. Some were local (Oswego City Schools, Move Along, Inc., United Way of Oswego County, etc.) while others were national or international (Susan G Komen, the St. Baldrick's Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, etc.).
Two of the most impactful events of the year were last April's 11th Annual St. Baldrick's Day in Oswego fundraiser and the 4th Annual For the Kids event. St. Baldrick's supports research for childhood cancer and became an annual project for the department for more than a decade ago with the men's lacrosse team. This year, Oswego helped raise more than $50,000, which adds to the more than $500,000 raised over the last 10+ years. For the Kids raises money for the Children's Advocacy Center of Oswego County and is coordinated by members of the men's ice hockey team. That event has raised more than $45,000 in its four years.
The Oswego State Department of Athletics continues to set the standard in community service at the Division III level and strives to serve even more during the 2017-18 academic year.
