Pitt-Bradford Athletic Department Recognized for Work with CARE

The athletic department at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford received the Jostens Community Service Overall Winner Award from the National Association of Division III Athletics for its longstanding relationship with the CARE For Children program and other service projects.

The award was presented to Lori Mazza, director of athletics, at the NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

The awards program is co-sponsored by the NADIIIAA and Jostens and is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. The program awards winners in the following three categories: one-time project, array of projects, and on-going project.

Pitt-Bradford was recognized for its relationship with the CARE for Children program and other service projects. In 2001, then-head women’s basketball coach Daly Ann Fuller approached CARE with the idea of collaborating on an adaptive basketball camp to give children with motor and learning deficiencies the opportunity to play basketball. The initial camp had 20 participants. Now, 10 years later, the basketball mini camp has grown to more than 100 participants, who learn from the coaches and players on to dribble, pass and shoot.

Since then, more than 230 student-athletes in all 14 sports have offered their time and support to the CARE organization.

In addition to its work with CARE, the athletics department has taken part in many other community service projects, including serving food to needy families at the Friendship Table, participating in reading programs at local Bradford schools, raising $600 for local veterans and assisting with a veterans breakfast to honor all veterans in the campus community.

“To accept this award on behalf of our student-athletes was a privilege,” said Mazza. “There are so many accomplishments that our athletes are recognized for, however, many times community service is overlooked.

“Although we do an array of projects with the Bradford community, our ongoing relationship with CARE is one we are very proud to be a part of. To be recognized by our peers within all of Division III for our community service is truly a testament to the quality of student-athletes we have at Pitt-Bradford.”

As well as receiving a commemorative trophy, the department received a $1,000 contribution from the NADIIIAA and Jostens.

The NADIIIAA is an association comprised of athletics administrators from the nearly 450 institutions and 40 conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. A primary purpose of the NADIIIAA is to encourage the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational philosophy.

Pictured, Lady Panthers basketball star Maria Costanza and CARE kid Alexis (top), and Caitlin Jordan with CARE kid Matthew during the Lady Panthers 10th annual mini-camp for CARE for Children.
Photos courtesy of CARE for Children

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