NCAA News Release

INDIANAPOLIS – According to totals recently released by the NCAA and the PSAC, the Shippensburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was the PSAC's top donor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the 2008-2009 academic year. The members of SAAC collected $6,300 toward the charitable organization to once again lead the conference.

Shippensburg's total also ranks nationally as the fourth-best total among Division II institutions. Shippensburg was fifth in the nation a year ago. Division II reached another record contribution total for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2008-09, pushing the division's overall contribution since 2003 past $1 million.

The bulk of the organization's contributions came from several organization-inspired events including the sale of links to the “Chains of Love” at the Second Annual Special Olympics Fun Meet along with popular events such as GatoradeFest and the annual SU athlete auction.

Assistant Director of Athletics Carrie Michaels served as the chapter advisor during the 2008-2009 year. The organization was led by the following student officers: president Will Kane (Men's Swimming), vice president Josh Oswalt (Football), secretary Robin Light (Women's Tennis) and treasurer Mandi Foltz (Women's Swimming).

Overall, the PSAC ranked fifth among Division II conferences toward raised funds. Bloomsburg, Edinboro, Lock Haven and West Chester's SAAC chapters were also significant contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. All 16 of the PSAC member institutions contributed to the national effort.

Division II is the single-largest grass-roots provider to the national Make-A-Wish fund (Division II is among just 10 groups – mostly corporate entities – in the foundation's $250,000+ advocate level). The division has raised its contribution every year and has regularly eclipsed campaign goals.

“I can't say enough about how effectively our Division II SAAC members work annually to keep raising the bar,” said Division II Vice President Mike Racy. “Setting another record in this of all years when the economy is forcing everyone to cut back is simply remarkable.”

* Information from the NCAA was included in this release.