CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, September 19, 2019
For the third consecutive year, Hudson Valley Community College was named the recipient of the NJCAA Region 3 Community Service Award in recognition of the dedication and support the athletics department and the student-athletes have given to the local community during the 2018-19 academic year. The Vikings were selected amongst 21 other schools in the Region and this marks the third time in school history they have earned the prestigious award.
The Vikings athletics department was also awarded the NJCAA Region 3 Sportsmanship Award for the 2018-19 season. The Sportsmanship award recognizes member institutions that exhibit dedication to the honor and integrity of intercollegiate athletics and whose student-athletes and staff display outstanding sportsmanship during competition.
"The foundation of our department is built around the development of our student-athletes and coaches," said Justin Hoyt, Hudson Valley Director of Athletics. "We take great pride in giving back to the community and it is something we will continue to prioritize."
The Vikings have participated in several community events like the New York State Special Olympics and continued their relationship with the Race Away Stigma 5K Race and Fun Walk as the Vikings volunteered with the race for the third straight year.
The women's volleyball team held its annual Dig Pink Night, where the team collects door donations in an effort to join the national movement in raising awareness and funds to fight breast cancer with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Vikings volleyball program took time out of their schedule to dress up and volunteer at Hudson Valley's annual Pumpkin Palooza, a free public event to provide families a safe, friendly and festive environment for Halloween.
The Annual Race Away Stigma featured the women's basketball and baseball teams volunteering as race day guides for the event which brings awareness to mental health concerns in collaboration with Project Aware and the Equinox Insight Program.
The men's and women's track and field program volunteered prior to the Thanksgiving holiday for the annual Rashad Barksdale's Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Barksdale, a Hudson Valley alum, hosts a community-wide dinner for the local Hudson, NY community. The volunteer effort was spearheaded by Hudson High and Hudson Valley alum, Devon Kipp as the Vikings spent the afternoon serving the community youth the thanksgiving style meal.
In 2018-19, the Vikings athletics department created the Student-Athletes Leading Together (SALT) program in an effort to increase the department's volunteering efforts. The SALT program organized a campus-wide dodgeball tournament with the goal to raise money in order to participate in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Adopt-A-Family. The group raised money, which went directly to help sponsor a family of four.
The football program participating in a unique event at the UPS headquarters, where a few student-athletes joined head football coach Don Jones in a push sled presentation. The Vikings athletic department provided a one-man push sled as the fun event tied directly into the importance of proper push and pull techniques, especially for UPS delivery drivers.
In addition to the annual Fall Fest and Spring Fest activities, the Vikings student-athletes participated in the 12thAnnual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at Riverfront Park in Troy, NY. The walk benefits the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program at Samaritan Hospital. The teams received sponsors to walk a mile in women's high heels to benefit the event and assisted with various activities throughout the day.
The Vikings baseball program adopted the Green Island Little League and they spent a few afternoons with the little leaguers, where they assisted with indoor practices, performed drills and assisted the Little League coaches.
The men's lacrosse program teamed up for the second straight year with the Beverwyck Renegades, a recreational arm of Youth L.I.F.E. Support Network Inc., an anti-gang, anti-crime not-for-profit that serves high needs and at-risk youth in Albany, Schenectady, Lansingburgh and Troy. The Team assisted in both coaching and mentoring the Renegades throughout the 2018-19 year.