Nov. 23, 2009

CLARION - In what has become an annual event, the Clarion University Athletic Department led by its Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and including all 16 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs recently donated approximately 7,300 non-perishable food items worth an estimated $10,000 and nearly $500 in cash to the food bank of the Clarion office of Community Action, Inc.

"This year was a special year due to the recession and the needs of so many people in our area," Clarion athletic director Dave Katis said. "Our student-athletes and coaches really put forth a great effort because of the tough economic times. I am proud of everyone in the department for their great effort this year."

Members of the SAAC Committee, intercollegiate athletes, coaches and administrative staff all helped in loading a big delivery truck and then taking the items to the food bank where they were unloaded for general use.

"We are extremely grateful for the donation we received from the Clarion University athletic department," Robert Hanley, the Clarion office Self-Sufficiency Coordinator for Community Action, Inc., said. "It is typically the largest donation we receive each year, and the generosity of the Clarion athletic community ensures that we are able to continue to serve those most in need."

As part of the effort to collect as many non-perishable food items as possible, the 16 teams competed to see who would collect the most items. This year, the Golden Eagles women's golf team under head coach Marie Gritzer collected the most donating 1,200 items for an average of 150 per athlete. Just behind women's golf was the softball team under first-year head coach Joe Swick and the men's and women's swimming and diving teams under the direction of head coaches Mark VanDyke and Dave Hrovat. Softball averaged 91 items per athlete and swimming and diving 33 items per athlete.