2015-16 PacWest Community Service Awards

IRVINE, Calif. -- For the third time in the past five years, Academy of Art University Athletics has been awarded the Pacific West Conference Community Engagement Award, as announced at the 2016 Executive Board Meetings in San Diego last week. The Urban Knights contributed 2,419 community service hours in total during the 2015-16 season, earning the top honor in last fall's NCAA Division II Team Works™ Community Service Competition, a partnership of NCAA Team Works™ and Helper Helper, with three women's teams finishing among the top five in the nation.

"As a young athletic department here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is extremely important to get out in the community in multiple different ways and continue to establish new relationships," said Director of Marketing Cameron De Lay. "Our staff and students were dedicated to give back in so many ways this year and it truly is an honor to be recognized as the co-recipient of this award after winning the NCAA Team Works competition during the Fall semester. We look forward to constantly giving back to this amazing community and hope to continue to spread the word about ART U Athletics."

The annual award recognizes outstanding community service and projects performed by a PacWest member's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Each SAAC chapter submits a summary of their efforts from throughout the year and a panel of administrative representatives chooses the school(s) that contributed to the community in the most notable ways.

Academy of Art previously won back-to-back awards in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before sharing the title with Dixie State University once again this year. The universities will each receive a plaque commemorating their selection. An outline of the Urban Knights' community service efforts this pas year follows below.

Redding Elementary (Women's Basketball)
Continuing a relationship that began in September 2014, the Urban Knights made numerous appearances at Redding Elementary School in downtown San Francisco, teaching and spending time with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse group of students.

"Working with Redding Elementary has been a very fulfilling opportunity," said women's basketball guard Jasmin Guinn. "We were able to work within a community of children who come from a variety of different backgrounds and be role models to them. It was amazing to see how much they looked up to us and how they looked forward to seeing us every week. I personally worked with kindergarten in an 'engineering for kids' program they had set up at the school. They looked to me as their teacher and every time I stepped into the room each and every one of those children's faces lit up. It showed me how much impact I could have on a community by just giving a couple hours of my day to someone in need. A little help really does go a long way especially for young kids such as these."

SF Chinatown Ping Pong Festival (Baseball, WSoccer, M&W XCountry)
In the fifth installment of this San Francisco Ping Pong Festival held at a variety of schools and recreation centers in Chinatown, the Knights spent time completing coloring books with the children.

Jenna Betti Memorial Tournament (WSoccer)
At this event dedicated in loving memory to honor Jenna Betti, a Diablo FC GU14 eighth-grade soccer player who tragically passed away in March of 2014, Academy of Art artist-athletes contributed to setup and take-down, worked a booth, and assisted in the selling of clothing items to benefit #HerSmile.

Project Open Hand (M&W XCountry)
In a fitting event, members of the ART U distance squad joined others at the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park in with helping "The Giant Race" which featured a kids race/family relay to benefit Project Open Hand, a nonprofit organization that provides meals with love to critically ill neighbors and seniors.

Academy of Art Housing (M&W Basketball, Softball)
The Urban Knights also helped the Academy of Art University housing department with new-student "Move-In Day" and served as judges for an Instagram/video challenge focused on first-year students for Battle of the Halls week.

Girls Leading Girls (WSoccer, WBasketball)
In recognition of National Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26), women's soccer head coach Katie Awerkamp set up a collaborative event with Girls Leading Girls, a San Francisco nonprofit that trains young women in leadership through soccer, as well as director of athletics Colin Preston and associate athletics director Ashley Adams. That same day, women's basketball head coach LaNay Larson joined Congresswoman Jackie Speier in an address to the student body at Mercy High School, an all-girls institution in Burlingame.

"National Women's Equality Day raises great awareness about the importance of women being equal whether it's in school, sports, or the workforce," said Awerkamp. "As a female in college athletics, I am happy to see our team teaching our younger generations about women's equality early so they understand the importance as well so they know and understand their rights as they grow up and continue to help raise awareness."

Froyo Run (M&W XCountry)
Just one day after their own competition in Golden Gate Park, members of the ART U cross country team assisted runners at the San Francisco Froyo Run on Sept. 18, helping further this delicious cause.

Friends of the SF Public Library (MBasketball)
In their second time assisting the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, the Urban Knights volunteered at the "Annual Big Book Sale" event, setting up tables, unpacking books, and organizing a variety of library materials.

Youth Tennis Advantage (WTennis)
This semester, women's tennis held multiple tennis clinics with Youth Tennis Advantage, one of the most recognized and highly respected youth development organizations in the country.

Academy of Art Campus Recreation (M&W Soccer, M&W Basketball)
Members of these four teams refereed and kept score of each game of these bi-annual futsal and 3-versus-3 basketball tournaments held on campus and open to the general student body.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (WBasketball, W XCountry)
Serving as volunteers who handed out water to racers, the Knights joined the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event which raises funds and awareness for breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (M&W Soccer)
While in Hawaii for a week of PacWest Conference games, both ART U soccer teams hosted a clinic for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii where the groups warmed up together before playing 5v5 tournaments.

Catholic Youth Organization Volleyball Clinic (Volleyball)
Prior to their Oct. 3 match hosting Notre Dame de Namur inside Kezar Pavilion, the Urban Knights invited young members of San Francisco's Catholic Youth Organization St. Anne School to take part in drills, compete, and receive special autographs in an enjoyable clinic.

San Francisco Mayor's Cup (M&W Golf)
In late October, both ART U golf teams assisted with the SF Mayor's Cup Annual Golf Tournament, caddying for the Commission President of the SF Parks & Recreation as well as the Mayor himself. Additionally, artist-athletes were hitting shots in an effort to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the charities at the tournament.

"I value the range of activities the team did this fall, from raising money for great causes to serving those in need," said women's golf head coach Elaine Harris. "In particular I cherish the time with the athletes building a sense of community and providing opportunities for them to give back."

Fleet Week (Softball)
In an annual tradition that dates back to 2010, the Urban Knights joined members of the San Francisco Police Department and Fire Fighters for Fleet Week. Both groups had an opportunity to showcase their talents with a fastpitch game before the slowpitch tournament.

San Francisco Little League (Softball)
Held at ART U softball's home field, Mission Blue Field, the Knights held both a coaches clinic as well as sessions with the San Francisco Little League youth. Over 200 girls came out to learn from artist-athlete mentors and jumpstart their season.

"I really enjoyed the community service we participated in this past semester," said softball pitcher Brenna Mitchell. "Working with both Fleet Week participants and the SF Little League youth was very rewarding and an honor. It's always nice to participate and give back to those who give so much to our country as well as inspire the youth of our city. I think they were really good events for us and as a program we were able to enjoy each one."

American Diabetes Association (MBasketball, WTennis)
Urban Knights could be found assisting with the American Diabetes Association 2015 Step Out: San Francisco, CA. This signature fundraising walk has been taking place for more than 20 years and features music, food, kid activities, local entertainment, and the company of those who truly understand the impact of diabetes.

America SCORES (M&W Soccer)
Furthering a relationship that began in 2012, both Academy of Art soccer teams joined America SCORES for multiple events in the fall highlighted by the Beach Chalet Tournament & Poetry Audition, uniquely bringing together young artist-athletes. Additionally, the Knights teamed up with America SCORES for recurring coaching clinics.

"America SCORES has been a great experience for us," said men's soccer defender Runar Gudbjartsson. "Coaches often remind us of how lucky we are to be here at Academy of Art; getting good education along with playing our favorite sport. We can take that for granted and we really should feel privileged. For us, taking just an hour of our day to play some soccer with the kids is fairly easy, but it means a whole lot for them and you can definitely see it. It doesn't really feel like community service, you're pretty much just having a good time playing with potential future soccer players."

San Francisco Parks & Recreation (M&W Track, Field/XCountry)
For Halloween, ART U was involved in the Scaregrove event hosted by the SF Parks & Recreation department at Stern Grove. The Knights helped in a variety of aspects at this family-friendly event featuring carnival rides, a haunted house, costume parade, and live entertainment.

LEAP Arts in Education (M&W Track & Field, WBasketball, Volleyball, Baseball)
Always eager to help further art for young children, Academy of Art athletes contributed to Leap Arts in Education's 32nd Annual Sandcastle Contest. The Knights assisted with setup and take-down, photographed the more than 6,000 children involved, and even collaborated on their own sandcastle.

"It was really important to me to see the children being creative and artistic in the sandcastle event," said men's track & field sprinter Alexander McNally. "I admire causes like LEAP that are keeping art in elementary schools."

Jamestown Community Center (WSoccer)
After visiting with youngsters from Jamestown Community Center after one of their matches, Academy of Art women's soccer hosted a clinic for two youth soccer teams from JCC, teaching them the basics of soccer.

One Love Foundation (All)
Amid its busy semester, ART U carved out one day to hold six sessions with the One Love Foundation on campus. Founded in 2010 to honor the memory of Yeardley Love, One Love works with young people across the country to raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse and activate communities to work to change the statistics around relationship violence.

"I think relationship violence is something that needs to be taken more seriously and, from this workshop, I learned that I need to keep my eyes open for early signs," said women's basketball guard Regina Camera. "It comes down to being a good person and a good friend."

GLIDE Memorial Church (WGolf)
Periodically throughout the fall semester, members of the women's golf teams served breakfast to those in need at GLIDE Memorial Church who supports a radically inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

The First Tee (M&W Golf)
Giving back to an organization that has personal meaning for both ART U golf coaches, the Knights partnered with The First Tee of San Francisco for a mentorship program and clinics. The First Tee uses the principles of golf—discipline, hard work and integrity—to enhance the academic achievement and leadership skills of youth from all backgrounds.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (WTennis & WTrack & Field)
In November, members of the women's tennis and women's track & field programs volunteered at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk. There at AT&T Park, they served as VIP tent runners, helped set up the walkers at booths, and arranged lanterns and other materials for leukemia and lymphoma survivors, families, friends and affected members.

"This semester our tennis team definitely stepped up with volunteering and giving back to the community; it was a lot of fun being a part of all these events and helping out with my teammates by my side," said women's tennis athlete Michelle Dandik Zaale. "We cheered on the runners/walkers at the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event, gave kids a few hours of joy at the tennis clinics, and finally helped out at the Light the Night Walk event. Seeing thousands of lanterns light up from supporters, family members and survivors at the Light the Night Walk was definitely a moment I'll never forget. I'm excited to see ART U in the top universities most involved in community service in the country and I'm inspired to be a part of a community that believes in giving back so much! Go Knights!"

San Francisco-Marin Food Bank (Softball)
Joining the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank's mission to end hunger in the Bay Area, ART U softball helped by gathering and serving food to the local community.

San Francisco Toy/Book Festival (M&W Track & Field/XCountry, Volleyball, WGolf, MSoccer)
At City Hall in early December, Urban Knights from a variety of athletic programs lent fire fighters a hand by distributing toys to 1,200 children at the SF Children's Toy & Book Festival hosted by Mayor Ed Lee, the SF Public Library, and the SF Firefighters' Union Local 798.

"I think it's important to engage with kids in the community, give them a chance to get a present, meet Santa, and enjoy the holiday," said volleyball outside hitter Bailey Soolsma.

RhodyCo Productions (Baseball)
On Dec. 6, ART U baseball had 24 of its team members spend the morning at Crissy Field helping conduct the Santa Hat Run with RhodyCo Productions. This 5k event hosted almost 600 runners, raising awareness and support for the annual toy program.

San Francisco Fire Department (Baseball)
Urban Knights baseball worked with the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Program to unload, sort, and handout toys to its participants. The SF Firefighter's Toy Program is the cities largest and the nation's oldest program of its kind.

"President Dr. Elisa Stephens really stepped up to the plate donating space and resources to our program," said baseball head coach Dan McDermott. "This effort is the oldest toy drive in the country run by off-duty firefighters. We appreciate the assistance from the school and, particularly, the athletic department."

Francis in the Schools (Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, M&W Soccer)
Utilizing their artistic talents and engaging with the community, various Academy of Art teams joined Francis in the Schools for face-painting session. Francis in the Schools is a free and fun-filled one-day educational outing offered for schoolchildren in inner-city neighborhoods.