Tech honored
During a ceremony Thursday night at Tucker Coliseum in Russeville, Arkansas Tech received the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition award Thursday night as the top Division II school for volunteerism during the fall. Tech had 100 percent participation from its athletes, who completed 3,535 hours of community service work during the fall semester.
RUSSELLVILLE — Volunteering in the community as an Arkansas Tech University athlete is just as important as competing on the field or court.
“It’s a duty that we have,” said Kami Ward, a junior tennis player from Lake Hamilton. “It’s not required, but it’s expected of you. It’s a Tech athlete thing.”
Thanks to the effort of athletes such as Ward, the NCAA Division II school has been honored for its community service.
Arkansas Tech received the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition award Thursday night as the top Division II school for volunteerism during the fall. A ceremony was held between the Arkansas Tech women’s and men’s basketball games against Harding University at Tucker Coliseum.
Towson (Md.) University (Division I) and Alma (Mich) College (Division III) were the other NCAA Team Works winners.
Arkansas Tech athletes volunteered at 23 local nonprofit organizations, including River Valley Food 4 Kids and The First Tee. Other services included walking dogs at the Russellville Animal Shelter, reading books and filling backpacks of food at local schools, including Oakland Heights Elementary School in Russellville.
Tech had 100 percent participation from its athletes, who completed 3,535 hours of community service work. The competition is based on the number of service hours completed and the number of participating athletes.
ATU Athletic Director Steve Mullins said the school finished second in the two previous competitions behind Georgian Court in New Jersey. So, winning was a goal for the school during the fall.
“Everybody pushed really hard. When you get so close and you don’t win, there’s more of an incentive,” Mullins said. “At the end of the day, I’m so proud of our athletes and our coaches for dedicating their precious time to try to help others.”
Arkansas Tech President Robin E. Bowen said it was important for her school to get out in the Russellville and River Valley communities.
“We felt an obligation to give back to them because they are so supportive of us,” Bowen said.
The NCAA came away impressed with Tech’s community service effort.
“It’s truly amazing,” said Amy Skiles, who is the NCAA’s assistant coordinator for broadcasting who presented Arkansas Tech with the award Thursday. “With Arkansas Tech coming through and pulling out the victory, it shows how wonderful Division II is with their community service.”
Women’s tennis Coach Abby Davis, who is also the school’s senior woman administrator, has stressed the importance of community service with her athletes and how they can impact children.
“Like it or not, these kids are role models,” Davis said. “I know that’s very cliche, but it’s so true. When you go into the elementary schools and the kids see your Tech athletic shirt, that’s something that they know they can become.”
Volunteering is a priority for the Tech volleyball team, which goes back to former coach Kristy Bayer, who is now at Emporia (Kan.) State University as the senior woman administrator.
Volleyball players, now led by Coach Kera Dukic, must perform at least 20 hours of community service during the season and at least 10 hours in the offseason.
“We wanted to give back to the community,” said senior Hunter Eshnaur, a Russellville native who played four seasons as an outside hitter for Arkansas Tech. “Around Russellville, they really support us.”
The volleyball team has volunteered at the Russellville Animal Shelter as well as local nursing homes. They would also pick up trash on the roadways in Russellville and in Pope County.
The Tech men’s basketball team volunteered at several fall festivals at local schools.
Senior forward Mason Cline, a former standout at Springdale Har-Ber, has put in more than 200 community service hours during his time at Tech. He said he was proud to be part of the school’s award.
“You were there and you made a positive impact on the community,” Cline said. “Everybody put in their time. It can show the impact you can make on the community.”
For Davis, community service is just another part of being an athlete at Tech.
“You’re not just here to play sports,” Davis said. “You’re here to get a good education. You’re going to be involved in the community.”