CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, September 6, 2022
For the fifth time in the last six years, 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 2021-22 academic year. The award was not giving in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's a tremendous honor to receive the Region 3 Community Service Award again, and it's a true testament to our student-athletes," said Justin Hoyt, Athletic Director at Hudson Valley. "We wanted to make a positive impact throughout the community following the pandemic and continue to foster these relationships throughout the Capital Region and beyond."
The Vikings have participated in several community events like the Northeastern Regional Food Bank and the continued their relationship with the Race Away Stigma 5K Race and Fun Walk as the Vikings volunteered with the race for the fifth straight year.
The football team continued their commitment to hold its annual Military Appreciation Day for the third straight season, which coincided with the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. The day featured a free BBQ luncheon, sponsored by Rensselaer County and Dinosaur BBQ for all military members (active/retired) and their families prior to the Vikings football game vs. Nassau. The department of athletics and the HVCC Veteran Resource and Outreach Center also presented the first annual Military Appreciation Award to a local Veteran business owner.
The football program took the initiative to join the Foundation's efforts to provide students with a free Thanksgiving Meal Kit. They were able to serve over 120 Hudson Valley students and distributed over 3,000 pounds of food.
The softball and men's lacrosse teams partnered with Hudson Valley's Wellness Center for the Race Away Stigma 5K Race and Fun Walk returned to Hudson Valley Community College. The event benefits and brings awareness to mental health concerns in collaboration with Project Aware, the Equinox Insight Program and Hudson Valley Homecoming. Members of the men's lacrosse and softball programs assisted with sign ups, race support and tabling for event sponsors and the Wellness Center.
The Vikings women's soccer program had a few members 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. Student-athletes decorated the field house, assisted with carnival games and dressed up in costumes to interact with the children, supervised and cleaned up the event. For the first time in its history, the Palooza was held outside on the practice field and featured vendors, games, rides and free food for everyone.
The Vikings baseball program volunteered at the annual 5K run in Troy, NY. The annual event was created to honor Joseph Manupella to honor the inspiring life of the longtime Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club Executive Director. Baseball also helped out the Troy Baseball Expo on five different occasions over the academic year to assist with providing the baseball instruction to the youth in Troy, NY.
The cross country team upheld their program's tradition as they volunteered at the Northeastern Regional Food Bank, where they helped sort non-perishable food items as well as load and upload trucks filled with donated items.
Community Activities and organizations that HVCC student-athletes worked with in 2021-22 include:
Military Appreciation Day & BBQ Luncheon
Fall Fest and Viking Cup Challenge
Race Away Stigma 5K Race and Fun Walk
Homecoming & Pumpkin Palooza
HVCC Foundation Thanksgiving Meal Giveaways
Northeastern Regional Food Bank
Athletics Community Day
Spring Fest 2022
Boys and Girls Club of Lansingburgh
Joseph G Manupella Memorial Run
Bowling Youth Programs at Del Lanes and Broadway Lanes
Troy Baseball Expo – Youth Camps