SAAC to Hold Adopt-A-Classroom Event at Hamilton Elementary

HAMILTON, N.Y. (4/7/10) - The Colgate Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will sponsor an all-sport Adopt-A-Classroom event at Hamilton Elementary school on Friday, April 9. A total of fifteen athletic teams will be paired with 17 classrooms, from Pre-K through fifth grade.

The school-wide event will begin with a pep rally at 1 p.m. before the classes pair up with their team. Each Colgate team is responsible for creating an activity for their classroom with some teams planning out skits or reading to the students, while others may talk with their students about bullying and how to prevent it. SAAC has also worked to create Adopt-A-Classroom t-shirts for the event which will be given to all participating Hamilton students as well as Colgate student-athletes to wear on Friday.

“As Friday draws closer, we are all getting more and more excited about going down to Hamilton Central for our Adopt-A-Classroom event,” stated SAAC co-president and member of the cross country and track and field teams, senior Suze Fortkiewicz. “Two years ago we held a similar event and I don't know who had more fun, the student athletes or the Hamilton Central students! This is going to be an awesome event to get everyone pumped up for the end of this year's Raider season and also a great lead in to our efforts both on and off the field for next year!”

Many of the Colgate Raiders’ athletic teams have already built relationships with the students as regular visitors to Hamilton Elementary school. Most teams are assigned to a specific class of their own and often participate in gym class activities or readings with this class throughout the year. Teams will be paired with their regular classrooms on Friday with the exception of the spring sports which have games or events on Friday.

Up next on the SAAC schedule is this year’s Springcoming lacrosse game which features the Colgate women’s lacrosse team and the Florida Gators women’s lacrosse squad. The game is scheduled for Sunday, April 11 at noon and will feature half-time events such as Pro’s vs. Joe’s as well as other prizes and giveaways.

Don’t forget to check out the SAAC blog later this week to hear from the student-athletes themselves about their activities and experiences at the Adopt-A-Classroom event. 

Arrival: Arrive at Hamilton Central School at 12:40pm on Friday April 9^th.  We want to start the program at 1:00pm.

Parking: Carpool as much as possible to decrease traffic congestion at the school.  Go into the main entrance, take a left and pass the bus garage, and park in the lot behind it.

Apparel: If you are a SAAC rep, wear your SAAC t-shirt.  Other student-athletes should wear their warmups or other Colgate apparel.

Rally in the Gym:

-Student-athletes will gather in the gym and at 1:00 we will start the rally.  Basically, an MC will call out the teams and the class you are paired with and your job is to cheer as loud as you can and get the kids excited.  Maybe we can do some Colgate cheers for them.  If you know some, let me know.  In all, there’s not too much to do here, just act excited to be there. 

           

-Then we will go say hello to our class.  This will give us a chance to take some pictures.  Also, all the kids will have Adopt-A-Classroom t-shirts and Vicky is getting sharpie markers so maybe we can sign their t-shirts.

-After this, we will dismiss the kids back to their class.

Classroom Pairings: Check the attached document “Classroom Pairings” to see what teacher/classroom you are paired with.  If your team is paired with two classrooms, split yourselves up evenly and each group take one of the classrooms.

           

Classroom Activity:

            - You should be in the classroom for 20-30 minutes.

-If you have a good relationship with your teacher, try to contact them and talk about possible activities.  If you have never been to the classroom or can’t figure out what to do, look at the attached document “Bullying Activity.”  It is an outline for an activity about bullying.  Use it as it is or use it as a starting point for your activity.

In all, the time commitment for this event is 12:40-2:30.  Your coaches have been emailed so they should know about this event already.  We need at least 6-8 people from each team, but the more student-athletes we get the better the rally will be – so I encourage each of you to attend.  If you see your team on the "Classroom Pairings" list and your team cannot make it, let me know and I will make an adjustment. 

If you have any other questions email me at ltolli@colgate.edu

See you Friday!

-Lyle Tolli 

Presidential Elections

Hey Everyone-- I hope that you had a great Spring Break and got some sun to make up for the rain today.  Below are the 3 female candidates for SAAC President next year: Ellie Schmidt, Casey Ritt, and Emily Kelly.  Please let me know of your team vote byWednesday at the latest.  If you have any questions let me know!  

Suze

Ellie: I am applying for the position of President for Colgate’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee. I know I could make a unique, positive impact on SAAC and more generally on the student-athlete experience at Colgate. My ability to stay organized will serve me well as president.  This position necessitates someone who is willing to devote enough time and energy to ensure projects are completed successfully. I am such a person. I know how much hard work and preparation it takes to accomplish something worthwhile. In everything I am involved, I make

it a priority to see that I act to the best of my ability, and I would bring this mindset to my role as SAAC president. As an athlete, I understand really well what it takes for groups to be successful. I value cooperation and compromise, and I always keep long-term goals in mind. I feel passionately about the importance of athletics and the ability of sports to teach lifelong goals, and as president I would actively seek out ways to incorporate this outlook. I am interested in promoting Colgate athletics in the larger Hamilton community, especially with the youth. As president, I would make it a priority to organize a large event with the Hamilton Central School and the varsity athletic teams, which I know would have very positive repercussions. I would love to be considered for this position. Thank you.

Casey: Junior, Women's Volleyball, Co-Captain 2010 Season

In my three years on SAAC, I have taken leadership roles on numerous SAAC initiatives, including organizing Fall Fest Tail’Gate 2009, which highlighted our fall sports teams, chairing the current Public Relations Subcommittee, and launching SAAC’s very own blog.   I take leadership roles very seriously, am an idea generator, problem solver, and enjoy empowering others to achieve and have their voices heard.  As SAAC President, I will promote the athletic community’s vital contribution to Colgate, promoting philanthropic work and alumni interaction, while highlighting our athletic achievements, advocating for our special needs and contributions as student-athletes. 

Emily: Hi, I am Emily Kelly, and a member of the Women's Swimming and Diving team. I'm running for SAAC President because over the past three years, SAAC has become one of my favorite activites at Colgate. I have seen our group improve and as president, I hope to continue the legacy of Suze and Rob by helping the voice of SAAC grow on campus. I have been vital to brainstorming ideas and actively work to implement our goals. I inspired the idea for the Colgate athlete and alumni LinkedIn group and have drafted letters to the administration on behalf of SAAC. I hope to be President of SAAC so our group can continue to have a real impact on athletics at Colgate. Thanks for your time, and I hope you vote for me!

Pictures from http://www.gocolgateraiders.com/index.aspx

Colgate Chapter of Uplifting Athletes- Lift for Life Event

The Colgate University chapter of Uplifting Athletes is putting on the 3rd annual Lift for Life event featuring the varsity football team on Friday, March 26, at 7:30 PM in the Sanford Field House.  The mission of Uplifting Athletes is to align college football with rare diseases and raise them as national priority.  We are proud to be a part of this great cause.

   Your support will benefit the research of Neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer affecting the sympathetic nervous system. There are an estimated 700 new cases of Neuroblastoma each year, classifying it as a rare disease.

   It is extremely important that we have support campus wide so to better help these children in need. Any and all types of support are greatly appreciated.  Support can be made online at www.upliftingathletes.org, and in the Coop prior to the even on March 26.  Support can also be shown at the event.

   At Lift for Life, the football team will compete in events similar to those seen in the World’s Strongest Man Contest.  That day, there will be several raffles for different sports memorabilia items.  All proceeds will go towards Neuroblastoma research.

   The football team would very much appreciate as much physical support and attendance as possible, at the event. Please consider stopping by the event as a way of supporting a great cause and a fight for an eventual cure for Neuroblastoma.  

   Please check www.upliftingathletes.org for more details.

   Thank you for your time, support, and we hope to see all of you on March 26.

 

   Together We Are Stronger!

Click Here for Player Roster and Donation Totals

Article and Image From http://liftforlife.upliftingathletes.org/lfl2/fundevent.asp?nnaffundid=4