NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Whether conducting clinics, reading to local school children or participating in area cleanup events, Southern Connecticut State University student-athletes, coaches and staff performed nearly 700 hours of community service during the 2007-08 academic year.

“Community engagement is a significant initiative within the Division II community, and I am excited that our student-athletes, coaches and staff lend a hand on numerous projects during the recently completed academic year,” Director of Athletics Patricia D. Nicol said. “We look forward to building on these relationships, while also assisting with new ventures as opportunities present themselves.”

Girls and Women in Sports Day, 'Think Pink' and Comcast Cares Day were among the programs that SCSU student-athletes, coaches and staff participated in during the course of the year.

In addition, several teams took part in additional events. Here a few examples:

• The women's basketball team conducted a local clinic for school children at the John C. Daniels School, in addition to numerous autograph sessions during the season.
• The volleyball and softball teams participated in the “Paws to Read” program at area schools. In addition, the volleyball team also conducted a clinic at Truman Elementary School.
• The women's lacrosse and field hockey teams took part in a March of Dimes walk, while the latter also had representation in a local “Penguin Plunge.”
• The gymnastics team also read to schoolchildren at Worthington Hooker Elementary School.
• The Student Athlete Advisory Committee raised money and donated toys during the holiday season to St. Jude Children's Hospital. SAAC also made a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation following the 'Think Pink' game on Feb. 13.