Long Branch, NJ - The Pioneers' pattern of community service has translated into a near monopoly when it comes to the NEC Building Communities Award (BCA) presented by Bayer.
For the sixth time in seven years, Sacred Heart has claimed the honor that recognizes superior dedication to serving one's community.
"Once again, it is my pleasure to congratulate Sacred Heart as the winner of the NEC Building Communities Award. The honor recognizes the student-athlete population that has the highest percentage of participation in community services activities as well total hours donated,” said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris.
Only one other NEC core member institution has possessed the BCA award since its inception in 2010. St. Francis Brooklyn broke up Sacred Heart's run during the 2014-15 academic year.
"What a truly remarkable run for Sacred Heart. Their continued commitment to service is a living, breathing example of #NECpride,” said Morris.
Showing no sign of slowing down, Sacred Heart was responsible for 30 percent of the community service hours logged during this year’s BCA conference-wide competition. The Pioneers donated 7,842 hours while NEC student-athletes collectively logged 26,426 hours over the past year.
"It is an honor to work with such an impressive group of young men and women who are so willing to dedicate their time to bettering the world in which we live," said SHU's Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Valentine. "To earn the NEC Building Communities Award for a sixth time in seven years is a testament to the character of our student-athletes and their belief in the mission of Sacred Heart University. I extend my congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches and staff on earning this honor and thank them for inspiring myself and us all to do good within our community.”
In terms of the 2016-17 race for the title, Central Connecticut shot up the charts to take second place. A total of 410 Blue Devils combined for 3,790 hours of service. Meanwhile, Wagner, finished in third place for the second year in a row.
On the way to claiming a sixth BCA trophy, Sacred Heart's student-athletes averaged 10.28 community service hours per individual. Becky Kregling's women's bowling team contributed a department-high 56.49 hours per student-athlete this year.
SHU's community service initiatives included the collection of a record 1,005 cans of food for food shelters in Bridgeport during our Ponging for Hunger. In addition, more than 300 student-athletes representing 19 different athletics teams participated at the First SHU Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls on the school's new West Campus.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes and the role they take in our University's commitment to giving back," said SHU President John J. Petillo, who organized the aforementioned Walk. "I am inspired by the passion and dedication they show in contributing their time, skill and effort to making a positive impact on our community. A hearty congratulations to the student-athletes, coaches and staff on earning the honor once again."
The Building Communities Award presented by Bayer was conceived by the NEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a means of recognizing the institution which demonstrates the highest dedication to making an impact in the community. As part of its corporate partnership with the NEC, Bayer, one of the world's foremost life sciences companies specializing in human, animal and plant health, is recognized as the presenting sponsor of this prestigious honor. Bayer's support of this program includes a donation to the charity of the winning institution's choice.
About Bayer
Bayer Corporation is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. As an inventor company, Bayer sets trends in research-intensive areas. Bayer products and services are designed to benefit people and improve the quality of life. At the same time, Bayer aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and acts as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, Bayer employed 118,888 people at year-end and had sales of €42.2 billion. In North America, Bayer had 2014 net sales of €10,248 million ($13,630 million) and employed 16,317 at year-end. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.
About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 36th year, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to four of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Pittsburgh (#23), Baltimore (#27), and Hartford/New Haven (#30). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 22 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 14 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Bryant, Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary’s, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Google+, all @NECsports.