Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) student-athletes give back to the community

Posted 12.12.07
Submitted by Alison Smalling, Sports Information Director, Embry-Riddle University

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - In just their first year of existence Embry-Riddle’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) is already making a difference on the ERAU campus and in the local community. SALT was created to help create unity among student-athletes, ERAU faculty, staff and the entire student body, to encourage involvement and awareness of all programs in the athletic department and other campus organizations, and to encourage involvement in community projects and promote the Champions of Character program.

While each team has been involved in their own community service projects throughout the semester, SALT has overseen two major projects in the last two months.

On Nov. 3, SALT and the Student Government Association came together to host a day of events with the main goal to raise money for Palance Powell. Powell is an employee of Sodexho Dining Services on campus who was involved in a hit-and-run accident while riding his bicycle home from work on September 6, 2007.

Junior Beth McCubbin, had the idea for the athletic department to have a fundraiser to help Powell and his family get through this tragic accident. A small idea turned into a university supported and sponsored day event with goals of raising money for Powell and supporting the SGA’s initiative to create awareness of the need for a bike lane along Clyde Morris Blvd.

Several student organizations volunteered their time prior to Nov. 3, hosting a bake sale to help advertise for the event and begin raising money for Powell and his family. Battling a few rainy and windy days, the student organizations successfully raised over $500.

Palance Powell Day got off to an early start at the Florida Sun Conference/NAIA Region XIV cross country championships, hosted by Embry-Riddle. Members of the track & field and cheerleading teams were at the meet accepting donations and cheering on the runners.

Afterwards, members of the tennis and golf teams got together to set up for a silent auction, bake sale and “Pancakes for Powell” during women’s volleyball’s senior day match against Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.). The silent auction, which consisted of items donated by all 16 athletic teams, and bake sale continued on through the men’s basketball home opener that night. In addition, all ticket revenue from the day’s activities went towards the fundraiser. 

The student-athletes’ efforts were very successful as $3,336.00 was raised for the Powell family.

Three weeks later, SALT hosted the inaugural Student-Athlete Social in the ICI Center on Nov. 28. Approximately 200 ERAU student-athletes gathered to celebrate the holiday season and participate in a variety of games and activities.

In addition, to the fun and camaraderie, each student-athlete was asked donate a toy or gift. The Eagles were able to provide two brand new bikes to the Salvation Army’s “Be An Angel” program, over 100 toys for Toys for Tots and numerous gifts for two local Daytona Beach nursing homes.

“Every student-athlete had the opportunity to impact another person’s life,” staff SALT liaison and Academic Services Coordinator Abby Zito said. “It was fantastic to see how abundantly they gave. Not only did the Social allow the student-athletes to get to know one another better, but each was able to realize the impact they can make one life at a time.”