Belmont Abbey Athletics
Jim Stephan, Director of Athletic Communications
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Belmont Abbey finished 17th among Division II schools in community service, according to NCAA Team Works official partner Helper Helper.
The Crusaders ranked second in Conference Carolinas with 4,640 total volunteer hours accumulated over the course of the 2019-20 academic year. Seven teams finished in the top 10 among their sport counterparts — including men’s volleyball, which led Division II with 234 hours.
Wrestling and cheerleading each finished second, while field hockey was fourth. The dance team ranked seventh, while men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse each placed ninth.
Community service is spearheaded within athletics by the Belmont Abbey Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), an organization committed to creating a fulfilling Crusader student-athlete experience by engaging and developing the mind, body and spirit of every student on campus.
“SAAC is committed to community service and the understanding that by giving back to our community we are developing the whole person through servant leadership,” advisor and Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Toni Elyea said. “I am so proud of the commitment our Crusaders have shown raising awareness and funds for organizations like Make-A-Wish and the local homeless shelters. We also love being able to go out into our community and make an impact on the next generation like when we visit the Jeff Gordon Hospital and helping out with carnivals like Mount Hollyween. I couldn’t be more proud of the impact they are making and the legacy they are leaving.”
SAAC President Blaise Waters, a men’s tennis player, had this to say: “Giving back to the community means a lot to us at Belmont Abbey. We are blessed to call Belmont Abbey home and we strive to do all that we can to give back to the community in and around our campus that so generously opened their doors to us.”
As a league, Conference Carolinas schools combined to finish third with 14,082 total volunteer hours. Division II schools accounted for 179,524 volunteer hours spread across 4,535 opportunities.
