All 16 athletic programs show support to local and campus communities
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Coinciding with the university as a whole, Nova Southeastern athletics left a significant imprint on the community this past week by celebrating the school’s Second Annual Global Day of Service.
All 16 sports programs participated in a variety of events, ranging from food drives to beach cleanups, with others dedicating their time to leadership forums and virtual classroom visits.
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“The NSU Global Day of Service is a great opportunity for our department to give back and support our local and campus communities,” said Rachel Fineberg, Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services and Student-Athlete Support. “Our Shark student-athletes, coaches and staff all participated in COVID-safe service opportunities that were meaningful to them and I’m very proud of the way they represented NSU with their enthusiasm and spirit. It is more important than ever to stay connected, and the Global Day of Service allowed us to work collectively for the greater good while donating our time and talents to many worthy organizations. We look forward to continuing our efforts to make a difference!”
Keyed by the efforts of baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s track and field, and women’s basketball, along with coaches and additional staff members, the NSU athletic department collected a remarkable 750 pounds of non-perishable food items to benefit The Pantry of Broward. The non-profit organization serves seniors in need and grandparents acting as guardians for their grandchildren.
“It feels great for all of us to come together to give back to the community in any way we can,” expressed NSU baseball player Stephen Schissler. “This food drive was perfect because we were able to help out people who may be less fortunate by doing something as simple as collecting a few cans each. It is extra special to me to donate because not only am I helping people in the community near our school, but also the community in which I grew up in being from South Florida!”
Sparked by defender Brittany Hoffman, who is a regular on-site volunteer, NSU women’s soccer performed its own food drive, teaming up with The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale.
“By volunteering at The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center, I am able to give back to my community and help those in need,” said Hoffman. “In the future, I hope to work with children. This allows me to get hands-on volunteer work. I just hope I am able to put a smile on the children’s faces! It felt very rewarding to donate and participate in the food drive, and I look forward to doing it again in the future!”
The women’s basketball team remained busy, joining forces with nearly 100 student-athletes from men’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming, tennis, and volleyball in contributing to three separate local beach cleanups, highlighted by an event coordinated by NSU Alumni Relations. Meanwhile, the softball team partook in a clothing drive, giving back to the Juan Guzman Foundation based out of the Dominican Republic.
“Volunteering this past weekend reminded me how important it is to get out and serve your community,” stressed Amanda Hall, a sophomore on the volleyball team. “Not only was it a great team bonding event, but it also showed each of us how much trash and waste is situated all along our beautiful beach. I never noticed things like cigarettes and straws, but I will now certainly make an effort to pick it up if I see it!”
“It was so amazing seeing our team come together to help out a great organization,” softball pitcher Emily Hess said about the initiative taken by her and her teammates. “Our team was beyond excited to help out the kids from the Dominican Republic. I thank my teammates for being so generous, and look forward to our next opportunity to help out!”
The NSU men’s basketball team opted to work with the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, with individuals from the Sharks’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sharing their time on a combined 10 virtual classroom visits, including seven leadership discussions at nearby NSU University School and three reading sessions at Davie Elementary.
“Talking with the kids at USchool was an awesome experience,” beamed women’s basketball player Keanna Williams. “Every kid I talked to was engaged and eager to learn about how to be an effective leader. Having the ability to have the chance to impact kids at a young age is something so important for the future of the leaders in society.”
“All the children were very excited to have me read to them,” added Tomas Millet, a senior on the men’s golf team. “In my experience as a college student-athlete, I have had a lot of fun with them and I hope they did as well!”
About NSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
NSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a student-led organization that serves as a liaison between all student-athletes and administrators by promoting active communication. The Committee is comprised of two representatives from each intercollegiate athletic program. The Committee meets on a monthly basis to provide insight and feedback on the student-athlete experience by identifying and discussing issues that directly affect student-athletes at the institutional, conference, and NCAA level.
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