RICHARDSON, Texas –– For the fourth consecutive year, Student-Athlete Advisory Committees from all 15 American Southwest Conference member institutions are set to join together in “Make a Change in 14 Days,” a service project collecting loose coins to raise funds for local charitable organizations.
Arrangements are in place to collect change at local campuses over the 14-day period of January 25 through February 7 – coinciding with the turn of the conference divisional basketball schedule.
The conference-wide project is also designed as a friendly challenge among the ASC campuses. The member SAAC collecting the most funds will be honored by the conference as well as the top-earning division group:
Concordia University Texas, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Mississippi College, Louisiana College, University of the Ozarks, University of Texas at Dallas
East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, University of Texas at Tyler
Howard Payne University, Schreiner University, Sul Ross State University, Texas Lutheran University
Last year, the 15 conference SAAC groups combined to raise $8,761.14 for charity. In three years, nearly $20,000 has been raised to benefit 31 different organizations.
Louisiana College was the top-earning member SAAC for the second consecutive year in 2009 with $2,211.08 going to Cabrini Cancer Center and Rapides Regional Life Center. In two years, LC has collected over $5,000 that has gone directly to breast cancer research. LC was also part of the winning division group in 2009 along with University of the Ozarks, Mississippi College and University of Texas at Dallas. McMurry University won the inaugural title in 2007 and made its donation to the Children's Miracle Network.
“Make a Change in 14 Days has become one of the most visible opportunities for the ASC student-athletes to become involved with their local communities,” ASC Commissioner Amy Carlton said. “We as a conference are proud of the work done by our 15 Student-Athlete Advisory Committees in supporting organizations within their local communities.”
More information about “Make a Change in 14 Days,” including photos of SAACs in action, can be accessed online at www.ASCsports.org/SAAC. Details for each individual institution can be found on their athletics website.
IN THE BONUS: ASC basketball fans can be on the look out for special conference give-a-ways at their team's home games during “Make a Change in 14 Days.”
