Friday Features: Lee SAAC Signs Player, Grants a Make-A-Wish
By Chris Megginson
Each year, when Gulf South Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) across the conference sets out to raise funds for their local Make-A-Wish chapter, some do it with a goal to grant a wish to a child in need.
Lee University reached its goal, raising $11,412.01, according to the NCAA. The Lee University SAAC, in partnership with Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee, was able to grant a wish to a young boy who loves basketball, LaVaunte, during a Feb. 10 women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader against Christian Brothers University.
LaVaunte, who has a blood disease, began his day on campus by signing a one-day contract with the Flames men’s basketball team during a signing part, complete with pizza and cake. He was provided a uniform, wearing No. 23 for LeBron James, and participated in normal pregame activities (locker room pregame, warm-ups, and sat on the bench during the game). During halftime of the men’s basketball game, Lee athletes presented LaVaunte with a LeBron James jersey and gifts for his upcoming Disney Cruise. To top it off, Lee’s women and men swept the doubleheader.
“It was so amazing to see how much joy the Make-A-Wish foundation brings to children,” said Coach Andrea Hudson, Lee assistant athletic director/SWA. “LaVaunte and his family were amazed at the reception they received from our athletes. All of the gifts that the students presented to him will go well with his Disney Cruise. I am especially proud of our SAAC and the challenge they took on to make this happen.”
Hudson serves with Lee Internal Affairs Director Jessica McIntyre as co-sponsors of the SAAC.
“It was a wonderful day! One that I will remember,” McIntyre said. “I am so glad we were able to meet LaVaunte and welcome him into the Lee University athletic family. I know our student-athletes enjoyed this opportunity and loved getting to spend time with LaVaunte and his family. Hopefully, it was the perfect send off for his upcoming cruise.”
Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee serves nearly 40 counties on the eastern side of the state and has grown to present nearly 80 wishes a year, averaging $8,000 in cost each. More than 75 percent of the trips granted involve travel, such as LaVaunte’s destination trip.
“I want to thank you (SAAC) for making LaVaunte and his family feel so special and left with such a memorable experience. His mother said he could not stop talking about it and how much fun he had. It sounded like the perfect way to send LaVaunte on his wish! We truly appreciate Lee University and I wish I could have been there to experience the day,” said Catherine Fowlkes, development coordinator for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee.
Lee University’s SAAC first set out to raise $10,000. They exceeded their goal by raising money through the 2016-17 year with events such as a Chili Night at a soccer game, Make-A-Wish Night at a basketball game, and the annual cornhole tournament. Local businesses, Lee University faculty and staff and the student body contributed all contributed to events or made personal donations.
The Flames Athletics Department is the second Gulf South Conference institution to grant a wish through its 2016-17 fundraising efforts. Last April, after exceeding its goal,
Mississippi College presented a trip to Hawaii to a boy at the Choctaws’ spring football game. Their total of $19,184.11 ended up helping multiple wishes be granted in Mississippi.
Lee’s efforts helped the Gulf South Conference achieve its highest Make-A-Wish fundraising total to date, with $45,551.61 being raised, the second most by a D2 conference in 2016-17. The GSC has raised more than $100,000 combined in the last four years and had three institutions among the Top 30 this year: MC in third, Lee in fifth and Delta State University 19th with $5,641.
Lee was only one of eight Division II institutions to exceed the $10,000 goal, and did so in its second full year as a Division II program. SAAC President Sam Burrus, a Lee senior women’s golfer, hopes the opportunity to grant a wish has set the tone for the university.
“It was such an honor getting to be a part of LaVaunte’s big day,” said Burrus. “I was so glad our athletes got to be such a big part of making it happen. It was so much fun getting to see the guys just take him in and it was so special knowing that we were able to make such an impact on a little boy’s life in one day. I hope that it will be something our university remembers in the years to come and that our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee can continue to strive for each and every year. It was definitely a day that I will never forget.”
The SAAC is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. NCAA Division II institutions have a long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish and raised more than $634,000 in 2016-17. Since 2003, Division II alone has raised more than $5.3 million toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. More than 660 “wishes” have been granted through Division II contributions.
Portions of this story were contributed by George Starr, Lee University.
Follow Megginson on Twitter @jcmeggs. Email comments to megginsonjc@gmail.com.
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2017-18 Friday Features Archive
September 1 |
Mississippi College
September 8 |
Montevallo
September 15 |
Valdosta State
September 22 |
West Georgia
September 29 |
Alabama Huntsville
October 6 |
Union
October 13 |
West Alabama
October 20 |
West Florida
October 27 |
Delta State
November 3 |
Christian Brothers
November 10 |
Shorter
November 17 |
North Alabama
November 24 |
Lee
December 1 |
AUM
December 8 |
West Florida
Decemeber 15 |
Mississippi College
December 22 |
Lee
December 29 |
West Alabama
January 5 |
Valdosta State
January 12 |
Christian Brothers
January 19 |
Montevallo
January 26 |
AUM
February 2 |
Mississippi College
February 9 |
West Florida
February 16 |
North Alabama
February 23 |
Alabama Huntsville
March 2 |
Broadcasters
March 9 |
Delta State
March 16 |
Alabama Huntsville