NW Kentucky News

 Student-Athletes Doing More in 2022-23

The Kentucky Wesleyan Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) began the school year having just been awarded the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Community Engagement Award for 2021. 

This award recognizes the top institution within the conference for their service and engagement within both their community and campus. 

Even after being awarded this prestigious honor, the Kentucky Wesleyan SAAC had their sights set on even bigger things for the 2022-23 school year.
 
Corina Conley is a junior guard on the Panthers women's basketball team from Englewood, Ohio. 

Conley serves as the Co-Chair of the SAAC Community Engagement Committee, alongside senior baseball player Aric Lyons. 

Conley has made it known that the increase in campus-wide community service is no coincidence.
 
"We had a plan in place before the school year to raise our community service hours and raise our Make-A-Wish goal," Conley said. 

"Our community service hours have already exceeded 1,800 hours which is an amazing achievement just in the first semester. 

Our Make-a-Wish goal is $3,000 for the year, and as a group we have raised $2,600. 

That all points towards our athletes and their willingness to serve."
 
Kentucky Wesleyan currently sits at the top of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) in community service hours, as well as seventh in the entire country in Division II. 

Student-athletes have been able to impact their community in a variety of different ways.
 
"Collectively, SAAC has participated in Build-A-Bed, Civic Engagement Day, Fun at Recess at Newton Parrish, hosting a Miracle Minute, and more," Conley said. "This is just scratching the surface of all our athletes have done to give back this semester."
 
On November 8th, every team on Wesleyan's campus participated in Civic Engagement Day, in which programs found unique ways to impact the community of Owensboro where Kentucky Wesleyan resides. 

Women's basketball practiced with Owensboro Middle School, football spent their day at Active Day, baseball helped prepare for the Wendell Foster races, men's golf repaired greens at The Pearl Club, cheer and softball volunteered at the YMCA, tennis decorated the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts for the holidays, and many more.
 
In just a few years, Wesleyan's conscious effort to improve their community has already made a noticeable impact. 

So far this year, they have already had an economic impact of over $50,000 and were over $100,000 last year. 

President Dr. Thomas Mitzel often says, "we are not just a college in Owensboro, we are a college for Owensboro."
 
"I think what SAAC has done is simply put [Dr. Mitzel's] words into action," Assistant Athletic Director Gregory Richard says. 

"The more we are involved and help our community the more the community will want to be involved and help us as a college. 

We are both better together."
 
Although the main focus has been for student-athletes to make an impact on the community, it's hard to say that the community has not made an impact on the student-athletes and the campus as a whole.
 
"I believe that our efforts to give back to our community have benefited Owensboro but have had a lasting effect on our athletes," Conley said. 

"Stepping out of your comfort zone and giving back is something that you will take with you in the many years after college. 

I feel it has brought a deeper connection with the community and campus life." 

Original source can be found here