'Cuse SAAC Recognized at 44 Stars of Excellence Ceremony
5/2/2019 12:38:00 PM | Women's Rowing, Volleyball, General, Student-Athlete Engagement
The Syracuse University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) took center stage at the annual Syracuse University 44 Stars of Excellence ceremony. For the third time in the four-year existence of the award, the SAAC won the One University Award in recognition of the organization's commitment to Syracuse University's mission. In addition, SAAC co-presidents Rebecca Spraggins and Santita Ebangwese earned the Award for Excellence by an Organization/Chapter President for their outstanding dedication and service to their student organization, and the SAAC was also recognized with the Award for Public and Community Service in recognition of the exceptional effort in planning and implementing significant service projects within the University and Syracuse community.
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The One University Award recognizes the SAAC membership for their ability to efficiently and effectively work toward cultivating a collaborative campus community. In 2018-19, student-athletes completed more than 1,000 hours of service within our community. The group made many visits to our local schools to participate in reading weeks, character development, school assemblies and sharing the message about the importance of education and going to college. Members of SAAC also partnered with Enactus, a social entrepreneurship club in the Whitman School of Management, to collect more than 1,800 toiletries to donate to those living in poverty through the Samaritan Center.
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As SAAC co-presidents, Spraggins, a senior on the nationally-ranked women's rowing team, and Ebangwese, a senior who led the volleyball team to the NCAA Tournament and earned All-America honors, accepted the Excellence by an Organization/Chapter President Award in recognition of their leadership of the 2018-19 SAAC that included 32 team representatives from Syracuse's 20 varsity sports and spirit programs. The duo worked extensively with the Office of Engagement Programs in Hendricks Chapel as program coordinators of an after-school program for a local Boys and Girls Club two to three times a week.
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The Award for Public and Community Service recognizes the many service projects the 2018-19 SAAC completed in multiple settings around the Syracuse community. The student-athletes volunteered throughout the semester in meal preparation and service at the Rescue Mission and conducted a shoe drive for the organization, collected and donated personal care items, toys and school supplies to fill 44 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a program operated through local churches. Student-athletes also spent their time with young people in our community, visiting local elementary and middle schools to share messages of hard work and resilience in academics and athletics, and Golisano Children's Hospital to help patients with craft projects including making pillows and blankets for their rooms. In addition, SAAC members served as academic tutors and mentors at the Boys and Girls Club, developed a Field Day event in the fall during which Syracuse student-athletes taught students at the B&G Club how to play various sports, and hosted a youth clinic at the Carrier Dome prior to a women's basketball game for families and community members to learn about sports and meet the student-athletes.
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The One University Award recognizes the SAAC membership for their ability to efficiently and effectively work toward cultivating a collaborative campus community. In 2018-19, student-athletes completed more than 1,000 hours of service within our community. The group made many visits to our local schools to participate in reading weeks, character development, school assemblies and sharing the message about the importance of education and going to college. Members of SAAC also partnered with Enactus, a social entrepreneurship club in the Whitman School of Management, to collect more than 1,800 toiletries to donate to those living in poverty through the Samaritan Center.
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As SAAC co-presidents, Spraggins, a senior on the nationally-ranked women's rowing team, and Ebangwese, a senior who led the volleyball team to the NCAA Tournament and earned All-America honors, accepted the Excellence by an Organization/Chapter President Award in recognition of their leadership of the 2018-19 SAAC that included 32 team representatives from Syracuse's 20 varsity sports and spirit programs. The duo worked extensively with the Office of Engagement Programs in Hendricks Chapel as program coordinators of an after-school program for a local Boys and Girls Club two to three times a week.
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The Award for Public and Community Service recognizes the many service projects the 2018-19 SAAC completed in multiple settings around the Syracuse community. The student-athletes volunteered throughout the semester in meal preparation and service at the Rescue Mission and conducted a shoe drive for the organization, collected and donated personal care items, toys and school supplies to fill 44 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a program operated through local churches. Student-athletes also spent their time with young people in our community, visiting local elementary and middle schools to share messages of hard work and resilience in academics and athletics, and Golisano Children's Hospital to help patients with craft projects including making pillows and blankets for their rooms. In addition, SAAC members served as academic tutors and mentors at the Boys and Girls Club, developed a Field Day event in the fall during which Syracuse student-athletes taught students at the B&G Club how to play various sports, and hosted a youth clinic at the Carrier Dome prior to a women's basketball game for families and community members to learn about sports and meet the student-athletes.
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Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
/ Women's Rowing
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