The CCAA Community Service Award recognizes a member institution that has successfully developed and administered a community relations program. SAIT was selected based on the success of its Trojan Outreach Program (TOP), in which its varsity athletes serve as positive ambassadors, role models and leaders within their community.
"Congratulations are in order to SAIT’s student-athletes, staff and administration,” says Kyle Baillie, CCAA vice-president of sport development. “The service the Trojans provide their community is indicative of the values and ideals of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.”
Trojan student-athletes competing in soccer, cross-country running, volleyball, basketball and hockey participated in more than 30 TOP community events benefitting over 1,000 local elementary and secondary students. The events featured opportunities for youth to interact with SAIT athletes and included sports clinics, charity races and toy drives; events that raised over $9,000 for various cancer charities and programs for underprivileged youth.
“After participating in TOP, Trojan athletes are honoured to realize the young children they’re working with look up to them as role models and future leaders in the community,” says Mark Pretzlaff, athletic manager at SAIT. “SAIT athletes graduate not only with certification in their academic pursuits but with priceless lessons and life experiences in the key citizenship characteristics of leadership, responsibility and volunteerism.”
“While the Trojans represent the best of Community Service this year in the CCAA, we are very proud of all of the students and institutions that continue to contribute and give back to their communities,” says Baillie.
The Community Service Award was presented at the CCAA's annual general meeting in Montreal, QC on June 13, 2013.
