NCAA Team Works^TM Community Service Competition Community Engagement Report

As previously announced, Academy of Art University came out of the NCAA Team Works^TM Community Service Competition, a partnership of NCAA Team Works^TM and Helper Helper, as the number one NCAA Division II university in community service hours. Third amongst all Division I, II, and III programs, ART U amassed over 2,200 hours during the fall season.
 
Recent results have revealed that Academy of Art women's golf, women's soccer, and women's volleyball have all placed amongst the top five teams in their respective sports.
 
With 297 totals hours (13 hours per athlete), the Urban Knights were recognized as having the top collegiate women's soccer program in community service hours. Head coach Katie Awerkamp emphasized the importance of this honor by stating:
 
"This means great deal to our program. Community engagement is important to us because it reminds our artist-athletes about the opportunity they have to be a Division II college athlete and how important it is to give back. I hope that they take these values after they graduate and continue to see the importance in community involvement."
 
Women's soccer participated in events such as the San Francisco Chinatown Ping Pong Festival, America Scores, and Francis in the schools, and with organizations that include Girls Leading Girls, the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, Jamestown Community Center, and others.
 
ART U Women's Volleyball was another top program in the country, being recognized as second in the nation with 196 hours (14 hours per athlete). Head coach Ray Batalon spoke about the importance of giving back to the community:
 
"We are honored to be recognized for our efforts to engage with our community; more importantly, we hope that we made a lasting impact with all of the children we had the opportunity to interact with this past fall."
 
Volleyball volunteered their time at a Catholic Youth Organization Volleyball Clinic, with LEAP Arts in Education, the San Francisco Toy/Book Festival, and Francis in the Schools.
 
With a total of 67 hours (10 hours per athlete), Academy of Art women's golf was acknowledged as the team with the fifth-most collegiate community service hours. Head coach Elaine Harris iterated her appreciation of the competition's mission:
 
"I am thankful that this competition with Helper Helper brought attention to student-athletes doing community service. Being involved in our communities and giving back is an important element at our school. I look forward to working with the team to continue to serve the San Francisco population this spring."
 
The women's golf team donated their time at The First Tee, the San Francisco Mayor's Cup, and the San Francisco Toy/Book Festival.
 
The Academy of Art will look to continue its community service efforts in the spring.