Demorest, GA – The Piedmont College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is playing Santa this year. The S.A.A.C. participated in a school-wide effort to support the “Adopt a Child for Christmas” program. Piedmont’s S.A.A.C. helped sponsor five children with winter essentials including coats, hats, gloves, warm sweats, and socks as well as a few presents on their Christmas list.
Overall, students, faculty, and staff at the college helped to “adopt” 20 families in total with benefits extending to 61 children, their parents, and three siblings who will be born in the next few months. In addition with the Piedmont S.A.A.C. involvement, the Lady Lion lacrosse and basketball teams each also “adopted” a child in the program as well doing the shopping for the essentials and gifts given.
The annual effort continues a collaboration with the Parents As Teachers program of Prevent Child Abuse Habersham (PCAH). Piedmont’s connection to the program began as part of an effort organized by Ashley Cleere, the school’s Chaplain and Associate Professor of Religion & Philosophy.
“Not only was S.A.A.C.’s act generous, but their participation ensured that all of the children in the Parents as Teachers Program were provided for at Christmas,” said Cleere of the Piedmont S.A.A.C involvement. “I join the staff and board of PCAH in being exceedingly grateful.”
“It is gratifying to see our student-athletes reach out to those needy children and families in our community,” said Piedmont Director of Intercollegiate Athletics John Dzik. “Our S.A.A.C. group is to be commended for their leadership and caring attitude.”
Charged by Coach Dzik to do so, the Piedmont S.A.A.C. stepped in to assist in the effort through the leadership of one of its Executive Committee members, Maryrose Burns. A member of the Lady Lion softball team which claimed a USA South regular season and tournament championship this past spring, Burns coordinated the S.A.A.C.’s effort and was very appreciative of her fellow student-athletes and their generosity in the holiday season.
“I would like to personally thank these teams for their participation and hope it is something that will continue to grow in the coming years,” said Burns. “Happy Holidays and Blessed New Year! GO LIONS!”
Piedmont’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) is made up of student-athletes assembled to provide opinion and insight specifically to the student-athlete experience at Piedmont College. The group is considered a liaison between the athletes and the athletic administration. The S.A.A.C. also offers input to the NCAA on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on all NCAA college campuses.
Volunteerism is nothing new to the Piedmont S.A.A.C. which has participated in USA South-sponsored initiatives like “Cans Across the Conference” and “Pennies for a Purpose” which occur in the fall and spring semesters respectively.
Piedmont’s S.A.A.C. has a minimum of two representatives from each sport, designated by their coach, who attend the scheduled meetings. However, all student-athletes are considered members and invited to attend S.A.A.C. meetings at any time during the semester.
Piedmont’s S.A.A.C. advisor is Liz Butikofer, the SWA and Assistant to the Athletic Director. Butikofer is joined in her efforts by Assistant Athletic Trainer Andrew Johnson, Assistant Women’s Lacrosse Coach Lauren Davis, and Assistant Baseball Coach Richard Dombrowsky.
