The Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs) from the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (E8) and Liberty League raised $3570.49 in its inaugural ‘Change War” competition to benefit Special Olympics.
The “Change War”, conducted during this year’s NCAA Division III Week, ran from Monday, April 4 through Sunday, April 10.
The Liberty League SAAC outraised the Empire 8 SAAC by a slim $1854.57 to $1,715.92 margin during the friendly and spirited fundraising competition. The $3570.49 raised in combined fundraising efforts will be distributed directly to Special Olympics.
Since 2011, Special Olympics and NCAA Division III schools have been connected through a partnership designed to foster a mutual learning experience between Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes. Through this partnership, Division III student-athletes across the country are encouraged to participate in existing Special Olympics events, create their own events, or otherwise serve to support Special Olympics organization.
Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. The event is part of Division III’s Identity Initiative, which was introduced in 2010 to sharpen the division’s identity and to enable schools and conferences to more effectively explain why they prefer to compete in Division III.