7/31/2008 12:40:03 PM
WALNUT CREEK – The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee was among the nation’s top four Division II conferences in raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a whole, Division II conferences set a fund-raising record in its relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation with $316,958 for the 2007-08 academic year.
The total is the highest since the Division II SAAC began its relationship with Make-A-Wish in 2003-04 and significantly exceeds last year’s record of $208,022. The CCAA raised $16,271 in donations.
“It is a great statement to the character and generosity of our student-athletes and their willingness to help others and give back to their community,” CCAA Commissioner Robert J. Hiegert said. “As members of Division II, CCAA institutions have made it a priority to be engaged in their communities and this is one example of providing service.”
Over five years, the Division II SAAC has collected more than $766,000, constituting one of the largest grass-roots contributions to Make-A-Wish.
“One of the many initiatives that make Division II unique is the commitment from SAAC to represent service through the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Division II Vice President Mike Racy. “Our student-athletes have taken great pride and ownership of this issue and have built upon its success year after year.”
This year’s total includes contributions from all 22 conferences, Division II independents, the Division II Leadership Academy, the Division II Management and Presidents Councils and the NCAA national office.
Two conferences — the Heartland Conference and the Northeast-10 Conference — received donations from their entire membership. The Northeast-10 raised the most money with more than $48,000 in donations. The Sunshine State Conference and Conference Carolinas raised more than $20,000, while six other leagues eclipsed the $10,000 mark. The Division II Management and Presidents Councils pledged $15,000.
Four institutions – Barry University, Saint Anselm College, Southern Connecticut State University, and Bentley College – raised enough money on their own to fund an entire wish (each wish costs about $5,000).
Top 5 Division II Conferences
1. Northeast Conference - $48,677
2. Sunshine State Conference - $20,821
3. Conference Carolinas - $17,794
5. California Collegiate Athletic Conference - $16,271
4. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference - $14,115