Colorado University Athletics
Covid Can't Sideline Buffs Student-Athletes' Holiday Community Service
December 24, 2020 | General
BOULDER — The year 2020 has been difficult on all, and that certainly does not exclude University of Colorado student-athletes.
Spring seasons were cut short and many fall sports were pushed to start after the new year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of the disappointment of not playing in the sport that they have put tireless work into, the way they experience an education changed completely. Going to mostly virtual classes, students could not rely upon the habits and techniques they have used throughout their lives to succeed in the classroom. Added to that, a social reckoning took place in America that made 2020 a year of stress, sadness, disappointment and much more.
Needless to say, it would have been understandable to give Buffs student-athletes a break. Maybe it wouldn't be fair to expect the same excellence in their sport and in the classroom that is typical. Perhaps participation in the community would diminish in such a trying year.
Colorado student-athletes did not let this be the case.
Every year, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) gathers to plan out their year of community service and the different avenues they will use to accomplish their initiatives. One of those events includes conducting food drives at Buffs sporting events, utilizing fan participation. But bans of gatherings didn't allow fans in stadiums or arenas this fall, so SAAC had to get creative. Like most things in our current world, they went virtual.
Spearheaded by SAAC Director of Outreach Initiatives and volleyball player Taylor deProsse and Staff Liaison Rachel Ripken, SAAC partnered with Community Food Share, a food bank fighting hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. The SAAC set a goal to raise $1,500 in a fundraiser running from Nov. 17 through Dec. 17, making sure to hit the holiday season.
The virtual food drive ended up raising $1,955 and by partnering with Community Food Share was able to create a larger reach with each dollar raised.
"The food drive made me realize that I am fortunate to be a part of an athletic community that is incredibly generous and truly wants to help others during this difficult time", said deProsse. "There is truly no limit to what we can accomplish as a group."
Each year SAAC partakes in another event around the holidays, the Holiday Angel Tree. The student-athlete group puts up a holiday tree with ornaments that have names of local children in need. Student-athletes and staff can then sponsor these children and purchase and wrap gifts for the holidays.
The group partners with GENESIS Program of Boulder, a program that offers support and education to teenage parents. They aim to create a safe and healthy start to the child's life, helping parents from pregnancy through the child's third birthday. All gifts that were donated were given to children of the GENESIS Program.
Just like the food drive, SAAC turned the Holiday Angel Tree into a virtual event using online wish lists, which student-athletes, coaches, and staff could participate in by purchasing gifts off of the lists. The event had its typical success and shared joy to children in the Boulder area who otherwise may not have received such excitement.
"The Holiday Angel Tree is an event we have put on for quite a while and we're glad to spread some holiday cheer", said SAAC president and track and field member Caleb Penner. "I'd say everyone could use a bit of that with everything going on."
This year has made it difficult to keep up with tradition, but SAAC wouldn't let the tradition of the Food Drive and Holiday Angel Tree be forgotten. Despite all student-athletes having their sport disrupted in one way or another and having their educational experiences completely shaken up, SAAC found a way to make their outreach events happen and make their impact as great as ever.
"We have been reminded of what truly matters, especially the importance of being compassionate and empathic," said deProsse. "As leaders in our community, we are always looking for ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and our desire to serve those around us has continued to grow stronger throughout the year. I'm incredibly proud of our SAAC team for always finding opportunities to give back."
The events were a reminder of the impacts student-athletes make far away from the fields of competition and classrooms. Their perseverance, resilience, and unselfishness are always on display in their sport, but those traits are often transferred to their world outside of competition.
Times are tough for all, including these student-athletes, but their willingness to continue making a positive difference on others shows the true character of the student-athletes at Colorado and their reach far outside sports.
