Boston College Athletics

CLEVELAND – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl have selected Boston College as the winner of the 2019 Community Service Award. East Carolina University and the University of Texas at Arlington were the other two finalists.

The Community Service Award will be presented by NACDA and the Fiesta Bowl this fall, at an on-campus event hosted by BC.
 
"We place a great deal of importance in following our Jesuit motto of 'men and women for others' and our student-athletes truly embrace it," said William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond. "We are proud that our student-athletes live this motto in their actions and how they give of themselves for the benefit of others. I'd like to thank the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA for recognizing excellence in community service."
 
The award was designed to recognize NACDA member institutions in Division I, honoring exceptional athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA aided in selecting Boston College as this year's award winner.
 
"Boston College put together an impressive year of programming that stood out among an inspiring field of applicants. BC clearly makes it a priority to give back to its community," said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. "We know Martin Jarmond and his commitment to the student-athletes, including his belief that their personal growth includes giving of themselves to help others who need it. Congratulations to Martin, the student-athletes and the entire BC Athletics family."
 
"Boston College athletics has a strong tradition rooted in community service, and their efforts throughout the year proved that," said NACDA Chief Executive Officer Bob Vecchione. "The Adopt-A-Child program alone is impressive, but BC student-athletes have continued to go above and beyond to make an impact around campus and in the Boston area. Congratulations to the athletics department and young leaders at Boston College for their admirable work in putting others before themselves."
 
The Boston College athletics department seeks to serve as many communities as possible. Its primary outreach extends to the greater Boston area where the Eagles engage in several large-scale community service initiatives. The Adopt-A-Child program connects BC student-athletes with 167 underprivileged children from neighboring communities. For over 35 years, the Adopt-A-Child Holiday Party has been the athletics' department signature community event. Each team is responsible for fundraising and purchasing the gifts for the children they adopt. All 31 of BC's varsity teams, as well as many coaches and athletics staff, adopted at least one child. While most of BC athletics' community service takes place on campus and in Boston, its annual service trip enables student-athletes to extend their reach beyond Massachusetts. Boston College has over 750 student-athletes. As a department, the Eagles completed over 4,500 community service hours at the end of the 2018-19 school year.