Miami (Florida), Coker and Oswego State have earned the 2024 NCAA Student-Athlete Community Service Award, which recognizes student-athletes' community engagement on campus, in their collegiate cities and in the surrounding areas.
The NCAA and Helper Helper, a volunteer management and tracking platform, launched the competition to celebrate student-athletes who volunteer their time and services and to recognize their schools for supporting them. The competition, which challenges student-athletes to get involved in their communities, began in September and ran through December. The challenge tracks both the hours completed per student-athlete and the percentage of student-athletes who participate in outreach activities.
"We are continually inspired by the commitment and impact our student-athletes and athletic departments show to their communities," said Stephannnie Harvey-Vandenberg, NCAA managing director of external engagement, strategic projects and special programs. "The dedication to service reflects the leadership and character we strive to cultivate throughout college athletics."
This year, student-athletes in Divisions I, II and III contributed a total of 210,288 hours of community service, an increase of nearly 7,000 hours from last year's competition. According to Independent Sector's research on the national value of volunteer time, their efforts generated an estimated $7.04 million impact in communities nationwide.
"At Helper Helper, we are honored to support the incredible community service efforts of student-athletes across all NCAA divisions," said Krista Clement, Helper Helper founder and a former women's basketball student-athlete at Michigan. "Seeing them surpass last year's volunteer hours is a testament to their dedication to making a real impact beyond the game. We celebrate this year's NCAA Student-Athlete Community Service Award winners and all student-athletes who continue to give back to their communities with passion and purpose."
Miami (Florida) baseball student-athlete Daniel Cuvet spends time with a CARE Elementary student during a visit by his team. (Photo courtesy of Miami)
Miami's student-athletes claimed the Division I challenge, tallying 5,331 hours with near perfect athlete participation at 99%, for an average of 10.9 hours per student. Their volunteer activities included the Feeding South Florida food drive, supporting after-school programs and being pen pals to local youth. North Dakota State and South Alabama finished second and third, respectively, to Miami in the division.
"Community service is integral to the University of Miami athletics experience," said Elle Mezzio, Miami Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president and women's cross country and track and field athlete. "It strengthens bonds with teammates, other teams, and most importantly, our surrounding communities."
"We encourage a servant mindset at Miami, and I am immensely proud that our student-athletes captured another NCAA Student-Athlete Community Service Award," said Dan Radakovich, Miami vice president and director of athletics. "They continue to raise the bar for our community service efforts thanks to the leadership and guidance of Shirelle Jackson and our student-athlete development staff."
The Coker women's basketball team hands out candy at the city of Hartsville's Treats on the Streets event. (Photo courtesy of Coker)
Coker took Division II honors, with 7,574 hours and 92% of their athletes participating in outreach for an average of 17.9 hours per student. Their top community events included hosting officiating and coaching clinics for youth sports, greeting elementary students at a morning drop-off, holding clinics for youth sports and doing a trick-or-treat event. Georgian Court and Georgia Southwestern took second and third in Division II, respectively.
"One thing I genuinely enjoy about Coker is the way we engage with the community and serve others," said Kristynn Knight, the university's SAAC president and a women's basketball student-athlete. "Some of my favorite community service experiences have been at the Darlington NASCAR race, opening the door and greeting young students at Butler Academy, and handing out candy during Treats on the Streets! My team and I greatly value community service and enjoy having the opportunity to help. These experiences have shown me the importance of service beyond the court. Community service has made me a better student-athlete by encouraging me to think more about others, and finding ways to serve, even without being asked."
Aaron Beebe, senior associate director of athletics at Coker, praised the collective effort from across the department. "I cannot thank our coaches, student-athletes and administration enough," Beebe said. "An award like this doesn't happen unless you have buy-in from all three of those levels within the university. Strengthening our relationship with the city of Hartsville (South Carolina) and Darlington County has been at the forefront of Coker's strategic plan and I am extremely proud that our coaches and student-athletes are the ones building those relationships. It's another great day to be a Cobra."
The Oswego State women's ice hockey team volunteers at a local church's Harvest Feast dinner. (Photo courtesy of Oswego State)
Oswego State won the Division III challenge, with student-athletes volunteering 3,890 hours. The school had a 95% participation rate, which averaged to 7.9 hours per student. Key community outreach events included a community leaf-raking event for senior citizens, visits to elementary school, and a holiday toy drive. Salisbury earned second place, and George Fox earned third, respectively, in the Division III challenge.
"Giving back is a core value of who we are as student-athletes, and we take pride in making an impact outside the playing field," said Anthony Cascen, a men's wrestling student-athlete at Oswego State. "This recognition is an honor and shows the dedication, teamwork and passion we bring to serving our community. We're grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and inspired to continue to find ways to support our community."
"We are honored to receive the NCAA community service challenge powered by Helper Helper award for Division III," said Wendy McManus, assistant vice president for student affairs and director of intercollegiate athletics at Oswego State. "Community service isn't just something we do — it's a core value that shapes our student-athletes into compassionate leaders. We're incredibly proud of their dedication and the positive impact they continue to make."
Merlin Joseph, Oswego State assistant athletics director for student-athlete success, added, "We are honored and privileged to have won this award. Community service is always at the forefront of what we do here at Oswego, and I am glad the efforts put forth by our entire department continue to be celebrated. We will continue to strive to be the example for all NCAA institutions in regards to community service."
For more information on how schools can participate in future NCAA Community Service Challenges, contact Krista Clement at krista@helperhelper.com or visit Helper Helper's website.
