The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Student-Athletes Break Community Service Goal
5/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
May 5, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) continues to make a positive influence in the Birmingham community, as Blazer student-athletes logged an unprecedented 3,595 hours of community service during the 2015-16 school year.
Blazer student-athletes have increased community service hours by over 1,000 in back-to-back years, beginning with 1,170 in 2014 and improving to 2,036 last year in 2015.
"Breaking our record and goal for a third straight year is a testament to the type of young men and women our coaches are bringing to UAB and the leadership our SAAC leaders are exhibiting," UAB Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Justin Mackey said. "It is safe to say our student-athletes are much more recognizable in the Birmingham community than they have ever been."
UAB student-athletes worked with 50 organizations this year, including Children's of Alabama (429 hours), Better Basics, Inc. (231 hours), Ronald McDonald House (168 hours), UCP (154 hours), Lakeshore Foundation (139 hours), The Miracle League of Gardendale (121 hours), Feed My Starving Children (60 hours), Hands on Birmingham (56 hours).
"The genuine want and willingness to help the Birmingham community shown from our student-athletes is inspiring," SAAC Coordinator Caitlin Callaghan said. "With our partnership with HelperHelper, student-athletes can find opportunities that are meaningful to them and build their own community relationship."
The volleyball team led the community service charge with 748 hours of service and an average of 37 hours per student-athlete, while men's soccer sophomore defender Erik Henze paced UAB student-athletes with 113 hours served.
"Growing up, I always enjoyed community service and it has been relaxing to me, but I never had the opportunity to participate as much as I wanted to," Henze said. "SAAC has opened the door to many different community service opportunities, making it easer for me to do the things that I love."
The UAB softball team added 701 hours of community service, while cross country/track and field chipped in 648 hours of help. In all, 10 Blazers teams served over 100 hours this academic year.
