GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Being a student-athlete can be demanding in terms of both energy and time. So, one might excuse them for focusing solely on academics and their respective sports team during college. But Tusculum athletic teams have been very active in giving back to the community, whether their involvement occurs on their own or within the team setting.
During the recently completed 2017-2018 academic year, Tusculum student-athletes, coaches and support staff have performed over 3,800 hours of community service.
Also, the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (PSAAC) raised over $5,200 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the organization's chosen philanthropy.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes' hard work this past year. Tusculum Athletics is committed to giving back to both the campus and surrounding community", said Doug Jones, Vice President for Student Success and Athletics. "Providing opportunities for our students to make meaningful contributions to society is an important part of the overall mission of the University and the athletic department."
Service projects included in the department's 3,863.5 hours of giving to the community are: free sports clinics, "after school" programs at local schools, Adopt-A-Highway programs, Special Olympics, Nolichucky River Clean-up project, Coat Drives, Second Harvest Food Bank, Dig for Children fundraiser to benefit the Niswonger Children's Hospital, Cure MD Road Block fundraiser, Rankin Hall volunteer renovations, YMCA Floating Pumpkin Patch, Old Oak Festival, Nettie Day of Service, campus student move-in day and community activism game to help benefit research for various diseases and conditions including breast cancer.
Efforts by PSAAC to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation include: "Storm the Dorm", Make-A-Wish 5K Run/Walk and manning collection sites at home sporting events.
"PSAAC stands for athletic leadership within a college community and as leaders, it is important to give back to our community," said PSAAC President and women's soccer junior forward Ellie Tomassoni. "This group did a great job this year in making the time and effort to give back to a good cause. Make-A-Wish is about helping kids with life threatening illnesses and a project like this is a life changing experience for everyone involved."
Tusculum, located in Greeneville, Tennessee, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference. Tusculum, the oldest college in the State of Tennessee, sponsors 21 intercollegiate sports, including women's beach volleyball which will begin competition in the 2018-2019 academic year.