MAAC Goodworks Challenge Update 2-9-16
MAAC Sports
Event Updates
Fairfield
On January 15th, the Fairfield women’s basketball team visited the Fairfield Senior Center to have lunch and spend quality time with the senior citizens. Both the team and the Senior Center look forward to this visit each year because it gives them a chance to bond, share stories, and connect the two generations.
Iona
Iona College ran its second annual Ionathon. Ionathon, a student-lead dance marathon, is a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network and the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla. The medical centers cater to the needs of children with cancer, extreme injuries, and long-term illnesses. A handful of patients attended the 6-hour event and danced the night away with Iona students with the goal of raising money and awareness for children who need the extra help. Although the primary activity of focus was dancing, participants could write letters to the children, take event-based photos, or even get their faces painted. Many athletic teams attended the event including the Women’s Water Polo team. Rebecca Koshy, a junior on the team, and her teammates were enthusiastic about the event. They were hot on their feet throughout the night and created an underwater video promoting Ionathon. When asked about her teams contributions towards the event, Koshy said, We had such a blast on the dance floor and there really is no better feeling than putting a smile on these kids’ faces who have been through so much with their health.” Among other teams, volleyball also designed a video relaying the message, “FTK”, or “For the Kids”. Other athletic teams that attended and supported the event included women’s rowing, softball, and lacrosse. Although the DJ’s flashing lights and glow sticks lit up Mulcahy Gym, nothing shined brighter than the smiles of the children. Nothing is more inspiring than knowing these children are so positive and filled with happiness despite the difficulties they have faced. As junior Emily Hansen of the Women’s soccer team put it, “Sometimes, real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.”
Marist
The entire Men’s Lacrosse team and coaches hosted a youth clinic at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome.
Monmouth
Monmouth University Women’s Soccer sophomore Miranda Konstantinides, a nursing major, traveled to Haiti from January 4th through the 10th through Monmouth with the Foundation for Peace organization. She had four full clinic days and supplied medical help.
Niagara
Niagara University participated in the Sandals Project.
Siena
Both Siena Basketball teams continued their long standing tradition of giving back to the local community through Siena Athletics' BlueShield of Northeastern New York "Saints in the Community" program. Student athletes and coaches from both teams recently made their annual Adopt-A-School visits to local schools, while also welcoming the schoolchildren to women's basketball's Kid's Day Game.
Other Notable Events
Canisius
- Coaches for Cancer
- A4A
Fairfield
- Women’s Basketball: Visited the Fairfield Senior Center
- Women’s Basketball Alzheimer’s Awareness Game
Marist
- Men’s Lacrosse: Hosted a youth clinic at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome.
- Women’s Lacrosse: Helped out at the Friends of Jaclyn women’s basketball game by selling t-shirts and distributing information about the organization. The team also got to spend the evening with their FOJ adoptee Natalia.
Monmouth
- Men’s Basketball: Gregory Elementary School Teacher vs. Teacher Holiday Basketball Game.
- Track & Field: Team Impact
- Women’s Soccer: Seniors Danielle Axelrod and Kristen Brett traveled to Nicaragua to participate in Soccer without Borders
Siena
- Women's Basketball: Hi-5 program
- Men's Basketball: Hackett Middle School Visit
- Men's Basketball: Regional Food Bank
- Men's Lacrosse: Youth Lacrosse Clinic