Giving Back To The Community
4/14/2016 2:30:00 AM | Football, Bearkat Champions Fund
An aspect of the Sam Houston intercollegiate athletic program that sets the Bearkats apart is the belief of the student-athletes in the importance of giving back to the Huntsville and Walker County community.
Sam Houston's football team that has brought regional and national recognition to the university and the city through numerous appearances on ESPN national telecasts in five consecutive NCAA playoff appearances demonstrated their ability to give back with their volunteer acts in February.
During March and April, Bearkat football players spent lunch with Sam Houston Elementary School students; signed autographs at Faith Lutheran; helped serve food and assist with other areas for the Relay For Life Cancer Survivor dinner; helped Lansberry Elementary School students with reading and participated in “field day” at the Huntsville Boys and Girls Club.
“We believe it is important for our players to do a great job in the community,” Sam Houston football staff assistant Siddiq Haynes said. “The Huntsville and Walker County community does a great job of supporting the football team and we want to make sure we show our appreciation. We also know that area youth needs positive role models, so we try to visit them as much as possible.”
The football team also was involved in community service projects with the Red Cross and Huntsville Junior Service League. The squads' efforts have brought praise from community members.
“We appreciate the visit to our students by the Bearkat players at Samuel W. Houston Elementary,” Susan Cryer, school principal, said. “I have heard numerous great compliments regarding the visit. It is great for our students to have these wonderful role models and to see what great things can happen when good choices are made.”
Erin Robinson, community manager for Relay for Life, also was appreciative of the Bearkats' assistance.
“Our guests had nothing but great things to say about the event,” Robinson said. “The football team played a large part in making it a success. Thank you to Sam Houston for bringing the guys out to the Survivor Dinner.”
Sam Houston head football coach K. C. Keeler believes that the squad's efforts in the community helped in team building and in demonstrating the program's appreciation of the support the Bearkats receive from their local fans.
“I don't remember a spring where we've done so many things in the community,” Keeler said. “The kids enjoy giving back. We really do appreciate the great support from both the community and the Sam Houston student body.”
Activities such as these projects by the football team in March and April are typical for student-athletes from all 17 of the Bearkats' NCAA Division I sports teams.
Under the umbrella of the Sam Houston Student-Athlete Advisory team, Bearkat community service projects include the annual Pop-Tab Drive to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston, the annual Christmas school-supplies drive for elementary students in need, appearances and clinics at the Huntsville Boys and Girls Club and visits to HISD elementary and middle school libraries to read to kids.
Sam Houston's sports teams have combined to five Southland Conference Commissioner's Cups All-Sports championships and win 25 Southland individual sports titles since 2005. The Bearkat football team has won three conference championships and reached the NCAA semifinals four times in the past five years.
“The support of Sam Houston alumni and friends and the Huntsville community has been a major factor in our team's success,” Haynes said. “All the players appreciate our community and take it as a privilege when they have the opportunity to give back.”
Building Champions results in more than winning games, it involves creating well-rounded student-athletes. To do this, academic resources are necessary to assist them accomplish their goals in the classroom. Support the Bearkat Champions Academic Fund to directly impact the future of over 400 student-athletes.
Supporters become part of the team by helping Sam Houston accomplish its goal of defining the term "student-athlete" while enjoying the benefits of being a Bearkat Champion. Members receive the added knowledge that the student-athletes look forward to giving back that same support to the community. Sign up through the Bearkat Champions Academic Fund link.
