E8 to Challenge Liberty League in Change War
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs) from the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (E8) and Liberty League will once again engage in a friendly, spirited fundraising competition during the
2017 NCAA Division III Week in support of
Special Olympics.
The SAAC groups at E8 and Liberty League member institutions will conduct a weeklong “Change War” from Monday, April 3 through Sunday, April 9. Campus SAAC groups will collect change during Division III Week, and the conference which raises the most combined funds will be declared the E8/Liberty League “Change War” winner.
The two conferences raised $3570.49 in its inaugural ‘Change War” in 2016, with the Liberty League outraising the E8 by a slim $138.65.
“The Change War competition between our E8 member schools and the Liberty League membership was a great success last year and we are excited to take on the challenge again for a great cause,” said Empire 8 Associate Commissioner Janelle Zera.
All of the funds raised by the E8 and Liberty League will go 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.