varsity news
Durham Lords Media Release
Monday, June 21, 2010
Durham College student-athletes earn national award
CHARLOTTETOWN - Durham College student-athletes have been honoured for their spirit of community service, having been recognized by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) as the recipients of the 2010 Community Service Award. The award was presented at the national body's general meetings in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
"We are very proud of our involvement in the community," said Durham College athletic Director Ken Babcock. "This award shows how our student-athletes at Durham College strive for success in the classroom, in their respective sports while making a difference in the community in which they live in."
Durham College varsity teams strive to be the best in athletics and academics having established themselves with championship calibre programs and high graduation rates. The teams have also made a strong commitment to the local community through their involvement. The athletic department encourages community initiatives, providing a great experience for the athletes as well as lending a helping hand to the neighbourhood in which they live in.
Under the “Lord's Care” program, the Oshawa athletic department was involved in a variety of charitable components including the Hoops for Haiti Program, Movember: Fight Against Prostate Cancer, DC Women's Basketball Toys for Sick Kids fundraiser, Optimist Club Christmas Hamper Drive and Durham College Thinks Pink campaign.
On the community service front, student-athletes also participated in the college's School is Cool Elementary School Program, Going to Gym Classes with the Durham Lords, Durham College Kids Club and Hoops with the Durham Lords/Ontario Shores Mental Health Clinic to highlight some of the initiatives.
This marks the first time that a college from Ontario has won the CCAA community service award.
“We are pleased to see such an active involvement in the Oshawa community from the Durham Lords intercollegiate program,” said Blair Webster, OCAA Executive Director. “Enhancing the experience for our student-athletes is an integral part of the development of our players. It is great to see them collectively giving back to worthy causes and building a strong local connection.”
Durham College student-athletes are community leaders, making an impact in the Durham Region. Durham College athletes, coaches and staff believe in; “Do Something Great.” Everyone involved with the program is passionate about that philosophy, embracing their responsibility as community role models.
This is the second time in two years Durham College student-athletes have won a national award, as they received the SIRC/CCAA Academic All Canadian Recognition Award for having the most SIRC-CCAA Academic All Canadian Award recipients any institution across the country in 2009.
The CCAA Community Service Award is designed to recognize an institution that has developed a successful community relations program.
The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association is a national sport organization that enriches the lives of student-athletes through intercollegiate competition.
Previous CCAA Community Service Award Winners
2000 - Augustana University College
2001 - University College of the Cariboo
2002 – Not Awarded
2003 - Univ. of Northern British Columbia
2004 – SAIT
2005 - University of New Brunswick (St. John)
2006 - Grande Prairie Regional College
2007 – SAIT
2008 – NAIT
2009 - Thompson Rivers University
2010 – Durham College
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca
With files from OCAA and CCAA
