A major component of being a student-athlete at Oswego State is serving the local community! Each year the athletic teams participate in numerous community service projects and fundraising efforts.
In 2013-14, approximately 450 student-athletes filled 1271 total volunteer slots, averaging nearly three volunteer slots per student-athlete. Furthermore, those student-athletes completed 3362 total volunteer hours for an average of almost 7.5 volunteer hours per student-athlete. Finally, Oswego State Athletics helped 33 organizations raise over $166,000 this past academic year.
Sun, 8/25 AmeriCorps Play Day Volleyball
Eighteen members of the volleyball team and coaching staff spent four hours with Oswego neighborhood children, assisting them with crafts, reading, and games.
Tues, 9/3 Operation Northern Comfort Women’s Basketball, Men’s Ice Hockey
Members of the women’s basketball team and men’s ice hockey team answered a call for help from Operation Northern Comfort, a local grassroots organization dedicated to help those in need. Laker student-athletes helped a woman and her son move from a third floor apartment to a second floor apartment.
Fri, 9/6 Teal Walk Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Ice Hockey, Women’s Ice Hockey
Approximately 75 student-athletes from four separate Laker teams joined a midday campus-wide walk in an effort to increase awareness to ovarian cancer research and support.
Sat, 9/7 Childhood Cancer Awareness Game Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team wore yellow uniforms in an effort to promote Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Fri, 10/13 Totally Teal Game Preparation Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse
Members of the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams spent about four hours making “Totally Teal” ribbons and posters for their upcoming Totally Teal Game at the end of September.
Sat, 9/14 Special Olympics - Soccer Skills Women’s Soccer, Softball
About 40 members of the women’s soccer and softball teams helped coach, encourage, and cheer Special Olympians from the Oswego County area as they competed in soccer skills competition.
Sat, 9/21 Oswego County Packing Party Wrestling
Thirty members of the Laker wrestling team met at the Oswego Alliance Community Church on a Saturday morning to help pack boxes of school supplies, toiletries, and toys to send to children in war-torn and underdeveloped countries as part of the Operation Christmas Child effort.
Fall 2013 Read Aloud /Fitness Promotion/Read 180 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
Approximately 20 members of the men’s and women’s track and field team participated in the Read Aloud initiative, reading to elementary school children at Riley and Kingsford Park schools. Laker athletes also volunteered to work with Oswego City Schools students in the nationwide Read 180 intervention program during the school year.
Sat, 9/28 Totally Teal Game Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse
Members of two women’s teams – field hockey and lacrosse – helped raise more than $330 at the first home field hockey game of the season. Proceeds of the game’s fundraising efforts went to the Hope for Heather organization, which is dedicated to funding research for ovarian cancer.
Sat, 9/28 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Benefit Women’s Basketball, Men’s Ice Hockey
Five members of the women’s basketball team made personal donations to the Christine Schoeck-Blakely Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Four men’s ice hockey players sold raffle and 50/50 tickets, raising more than $500. The day-long benefit raised approximately $9,000.
Sat, 9/28 BucFest Wrestling, Men’s Ice Hockey
Twenty Oswego State wrestlers and 16 men’s ice hockey players helped the Oswego community conduct its annual BucFest celebration, helping with games and contests at Oswego High School’s Homecoming event.
Sat, 9/28 PDSA 5-K/Sarah’s Walk Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Women’s Ice Hockey
Approximately 80 Lakers from four different teams – women’s basketball, women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s track and field – ran or walked in this 5-K to raise money for the Platelet Disorder Support Association. In addition, members of the men’s and women’s cross country team spent a rare Saturday off helping all over the course – with turns, water stops, and at the finish line. The event raised more than $1800 for the PDSA.
Sun, 9/29 USA Hockey Referee Seminar Men’s Ice Hockey
Four members of the men’s ice hockey team assisted with the Central Region Refereeing Seminar sponsored by USA Hockey.
Fri, 10/4 Good Citizenship Assembly Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
Six members of the men’s and women’s track and field team shared their experiences to students at the Fitzhugh Park Elementary School, emphasizing good citizenship.
Fri, 10/4 Oswego Pumpkin Fest Men’s Ice Hockey
Sixteen members of the men’s hockey team helped set up a corn/hay maze for the Greater Oswego/Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pumpkin Fest.
Sat, 10/5 Benefit for Fields of Growth Foundation Women’s Lacrosse
The women’s lacrosse team and their alumnae collected donations for this international organization that helps spread the growth of lacrosse around the world. Between varsity team members and alumni, almost $800 was collected.
Sat, 10/5 Communications Department Symposium Men’s Ice Hockey
Four members of the men’s ice hockey team helped at the Symposium hosted by both the Communications Department and the Alumni Relations Office.
Sun, 10/6 Free Basketball Youth Clinic Men’s Basketball
Approximately 40-50 local youths ages 8-11 attended the Lakers’ free clinic. Thirteen members of the men’s basketball team and the head coach were the clinicians.
Sat, 10/12 Green/Gold/Pink Game Men’s Lacrosse
Prior to the fall intra-squad scrimmage, members of the men’s lacrosse team worked the concession stand at three different weekends of home volleyball matches, with all profits from sales going to the Carol M. Baldwin Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Team members then collected donations and a collection was taken at the annual fall scrimmage. A total of $1049 was collected by the team.
Mon, 10/14 Discover College Basketball Clinic Women’s Basketball
Nine members of the women’s basketball team and two coaches provided a one-hour clinic for the College’s annual day of offerings for children of Oswego County migrant workers. Approximately 40 children participated.
Fri-Sat, 10/18-19 Breast Cancer Awareness Game Men’s Soccer
The soccer field was lined with pink paint and games vs. SUNYAC rivals Geneseo and Brockport were played with a pink soccer ball to raise awareness for breast cancer research, and 50/50 raffles were conducted at both games.
Fri, 10/18 Big Sister/Little Sister Pizza Party Women’s Ice Hockey
Members of the women’s ice hockey team paired up with 32 “little sisters” at their annual pizza party. Designated “little sisters” take turns helping at Laker home games, and the college women check in at Oswego Minor Hockey girls’ team practices from time to time over the winter.
Sat, 10/19 Dig Pink Volleyball
Volleyball team members collected donations for raffle baskets, and their triangular home match vs. Russell Sage College and Alfred University was dubbed “Dig Pink.” All three teams wore pink for the occasion, and approximately $400 was raised for the Side-Out Foundation, committed to breast cancer awareness and education.
Sat, 10/19 Dazzlers Softball Clinic Softball
Sixteen members of the softball team helped present a softball skills clinic held in Buffalo. They not only demonstrated skills but also talked about the overall college student-athlete experience.
Wed, 10/23 Trinity School Harvest Feast Dinner Women’s Ice Hockey
Twenty-one members of the women’s hockey team- as well as their two coaches – helped serve more than 400 meals at the Trinity Catholic School’s annual Harvest Dinner. This was the second year the team helped at this fundraiser for the school.
Sat, 10/26 Special Olympics – Bowling Golf, Baseball, Softball
About 20 members of the softball team, 22 of Oswego State’s baseball players, and 9 members of the golf team combined their efforts to volunteer at the annual Special Olympics bowling competition at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton. Laker student-athletes helped keep score, coach, and cheer on the 53 Special Olympics athletes
Sun, 10/27 SUNYAC/SAAC/department leaf-raking event 23 teams Approximately 390 Oswego State student-athletes from 23 teams raked lawns of Oswego senior citizens (the only team that didn’t participate was the field hockey team, which had a game re-scheduled for Sunday). Lending their time and expertise were 19 head coaches and four athletic department administrators! This annual event is sponsored by the SAAC committees from 11 different SUNYAC campuses.
Fri, 11/1 Totally Teal “Teal Gate” Men’s Ice Hockey
A men’s ice hockey pre-game “Teal Gate” raised money and awareness for ovarian cancer and also raised money for Hockey Coaches Care, a support charity for the greater amateur hockey community. More than $930 was raised at the event. Additionally, members from Hope for Heather were present to distribute information about ovarian cancer.
Tues, 11/12 Ted Mullin Hour of Power Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving
Members of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving team once again dedicated their day’s practice in memory of Ted Mullin, a former Carleton College swimmer who died of cancer in 2006. Nationwide, more than 100 college, high school, and club teams did the annual “Hour of Power” workout to raise money and cancer awareness.
Tues, 11/12 United Way Stone Soup Luncheon Women’s Ice Hockey
Members of the women’s ice hockey team and coaching staff assisted by serving soup and salad at this annual food drive, which was organized by the United Way of Oswego County. The event raised $1469 and collected many bins of food for local food pantries.
Fri, 11/15 Colleges Against Cancer Night Men’s and Women’s Basketball
SUNY Oswego’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer had a table set up in the lobby for Friday night’s first round basketball games in the annual Max Ziel Classic. Chapter representatives handed out information regarding testicular cancer, The American Cancer Society, and this spring’s local Relay for Life event. At halftime of both the women’s and men’s games, finalists in a dodge-ball tournament sponsored by the CAC chapter faced off for their respective championships.
Sat-Sun, 11/16-17 United Way Food Drive Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey
Approximately 15 bins of food were collected at the combined four men’s and women’s ice hockey games spanning three days. To recognize the event, there were ceremonial puck-drops before the Friday night men’s game and the Saturday afternoon women’s games.
Sun, 11/17 Free Youth Lacrosse Clinic Men’s Lacrosse
Seventeen boys ages 6-17 attended this free November indoor clinic. About 15 members of the Lakers’ lacrosse team served as clinicians, so the clinician-to-participant ratio was almost 1-to-1.
Wed, 11/20 SEFA Bingo Event Women’s Tennis
Ten members of the women’s tennis team and their head coach participated in the State Employees Federated Appeal campaign by playing Bingo with other members of the Oswego community. More than $2000 was raised at this single event.
Fri-Sat, 12/6-7 Toy Drive for Human Concerns Center Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Boxes of toys donated at the four weekend games were donated to the Human Concerns Center in Oswego.
Fri-Sat, 12/6-7 United Way Toy Drive Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey
Toys collected at the four weekend games were donated to the United Way of Oswego County.
Sun, 12/8 Annual Holiday Skate with the Lakers Event Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey
Community members were invited to skate with members of the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams at this annual fundraiser for the United Way. Due to last year’s record-setting turnout, this year there were two separate sessions for the first time. Even Santa attended, and more than $660 was raised that day.
Tues, 1/7 OMHA Youth Hockey Night Men’s Ice Hockey
Four teams of Oswego Minor Hockey Association tykes (players ages 4-6 years old) took to the Campus Center ice between the first and second periods of an Oswego State men’s game to play two simultaneous cross-ice games, and the crowd cheered for every goal! OMHA players of all ages were given complimentary tickets for the game vs. Connecticut College.
Fri, 1/10 Youth Basketball Night Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Members of the local St. Paul’s CYO fifth and sixth-grade boys’ basketball team were guests for the evening, as they did ball-handling skills and scrimmaged at halftime of the men’s basketball game.
Tues, 1/14 Military Appreciation Night Men’s Ice Hockey
Information tables about the College’s programs for military veterans were available and a public thank you went out to all US veterans.
Sat, 1/18 Military Appreciation Night Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Again, information tables about the College’s programs for military veterans were available and a public thank you went out to all US veterans.
Sat, 1/25 Military Appreciation Night Women’s Ice Hockey
Again, information tables about the College’s programs for military veterans were available and a public thank you went out to all US veterans.
Sat, 2/1 Move Along, Inc Night Men’s Ice Hockey
Between the first and second periods of the men’s game vs. Cortland, an exhibition sled hockey game was played, featuring members of the MoveAlong team.
Sat, 2/1 Girl Power Hockey Tournament Women’s Ice Hockey
Thirteen youth girls’ hockey teams were invited as free guests to the Lakers’ home game vs. Stevenson. The tournament schedule took a five-hour break so participating teams could attend the afternoon matinee.
Sat-Sun, 2/1-2 Pink the Rink Women’s Ice Hockey
For both games vs. Stevenson, donations towards the American Cancer Society were collected, bracelets and T-shirts were sold, and a commemorative pink jersey was auctioned off on-line. The women’s team and coaching staff combined efforts with Oswego State’s Colleges Against cancer club, and more than $140 was collected over the course of the week.
Thurs, 2/6 Track and Field Clinic Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
Sixteen members of the men’s and women’s track and field team presented a clinic to more than 60 students at the Riley Elementary School. Children went through stations where they jumped, threw, sprinted, and then were part of a relay team, learning the importance of teamwork.
Sat, 2/8 Play 4 Kay Night Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Members of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams wore pink shoelaces, and a breast cancer survivor and Oswego State alumnae offered up a ceremonial jump ball to raise awareness for the Kay Yow Foundation.
Fri, 2/14 Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night Men’s Ice Hockey
Members of the College’s faculty and staff were given complimentary tickets as the Laker student-athletes thanked them for their support in the classroom and on game day.
Sat, 2/15/14 St. Baldrick’s Night at the Campus Center Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey, Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, Softball
Approximately 10 members of the women’s ice hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse teams helped sell “Chuck-A-Pucks” and St. Baldricks bracelets, pins, and buttons at a men’s home hockey game to raise money for and increase awareness of the department’s upcoming annual St. Baldricks fundraiser. Approximately $275 was raised that night.
Sun, 2/16 Girl Scout Appreciation Game Women’s Ice Hockey
More than 60 local Girl Scouts were guests of honor at the women’s hockey game vs. Utica.
Tues, 2/18 Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Members of the College’s faculty and staff were given complimentary tickets as the Laker student-athletes thanked them for their support in the classroom and on game day.
Fri, 2/21 Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night Women’s Ice Hockey
Members of the College’s faculty and staff were given complimentary tickets as the Laker student-athletes thanked them for their support in the classroom and on game day.
Mon, 3/24 OMHA Fun Skate and Party Women’s Ice Hockey
The women’s ice hockey team celebrated its season-long ties with girls from the Oswego Minor Hockey Association by combining food, fun, and on-ice games for all.
Sat, 3/29 Relay for Life Women’s Tennis, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving
More than 60 student-athletes from six different Laker teams participated in a 12-hour walk-a-thon to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Field hockey and women’s lacrosse raised $270 in a combined effort, women’s tennis raised $185, and the volleyball team raised $250. Overall, this year’s annual event raised more than $30,000.
Sun, 3/30 8th annual St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Track and Field
The eighth annual St Baldricks event set yet another new record with more than 240 shavees and more than $94,800 raised. Members of the men’s ice hockey, soccer, and track and field teams were among the shavees, and members of the women’s ice hockey team helped as volunteers at the event.
Mon, 4/7 Special Olympics “Moving Project” Golf, Men’s Swimming and Diving
Twenty members of the men’s golf and men’s swimming and diving teams helped move supplies, sporting goods equipment, and office furniture from one floor of a local building to another, saving the Special Olympics staff hours of labor.
Sat, 4/12 “For the Kids” Fundraiser Men’s Ice Hockey
A junior ice hockey team member joined forces with an Oswego State fraternity president and together planned a community event that raised money for the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County. The event surpassed its fundraising goal, finishing with over $3600 raised.
Thurs, 4/24 Lacrosse Clinic for Leadership Legacy Academy Men’s Lacrosse
A dozen members of the men’s lacrosse team and two coaches hosted a free lacrosse clinic for 15 inner-city Syracuse students in grades 4 through 8 as part of a leadership program sponsored by the Field Placement Office of the School of Education. Laker student-athletes talked about the importance of teamwork, leadership, and education, and showed the clinic’s participants how to play “trash-can lacrosse.”
Sat, 4/26 Move Along, Inc. Shoot for the Stars event Women’s Basketball, Men’s Ice Hockey
This annual event featured wheelchair basketball competition, and members of the men’s ice hockey and women’s basketball teams were among the competitors. The women’s basketball team also volunteered as referees for the day. More than $20,000 was raised for Move Along, Inc. at this year’s event.
Sat, 5/3 Special Olympics – Aquatics and Basketball Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Ice Hockey, Golf
Special Olympics athletes competed in basketball and aquatics skills assisted by volunteers from five Laker teams – men’s and women’s swimming and diving, women’s basketball, women’s ice hockey, men’s basketball, and the men’s golf team. At the morning’s opening ceremonies, a plaque was presented to the Oswego State athletic department in appreciation for all the volunteers and support provided to Special Olympics.
Thurs, 6/5 OCSD Elementary School Track Meet Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
Coaches and athletes pitched in to help with timing, raking, and cheering their support for the elementary school children.
Thurs, 7/10 Chillin’4 Charity Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball coach Tracy Bruno accepted a challenge to get soaked with a bucket of ice water and donate $50 – or stay dry and donate $500 - to the Kay Yow Fund. She received the challenge from the SUNY Potsdam coach and quickly forwarded the challenge to the SUNY Plattsburgh coach.
2013-2014 Largest Fundraisers (we are not claiming our student-athletes raised these sums – but we did help in these fundraisers): | St. Baldricks’ Foundation | $94,800 |
| Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) | $30,000 |
| Shoot for the Stars (Move Along, Inc) | $20,000 |
| Hope for Heather/Christine Schoeck-Blakely Ovarian Cancer Research Fund | $9,000 |
| Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County | $3,600 |
| State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) | $2,000 |
| Platelet Disorder Support Association | $1,800 |
| United Way of Oswego County (Stone Soup Luncheon) | $1,469 |
| Carol M. Baldwin Foundation for Breast Cancer Research | $1,049 |
| Hockey Coaches Care | $930 |
| Fields of Growth | $800 |
| United Way of Oswego County (Holiday Skate) | $660 |
2013-2014 Organizations Supported: AmeriCorps
Operation Northern Comfort
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Special Olympics
Operation Christmas Child
Oswego City School District
Hope for Heather
Christine Schoeck-Blakely Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA)
Oswego Minor Hockey Association
USA Hockey
Greater Oswego/Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Fields of Growth Foundation
SUNY Oswego Communications Department
SUNY Oswego Alumni Relations Office
SUNY Oswego Discover College
SUNY Oswego School of Education Field Placement Office
Carol M. Baldwin Foundation for Breast Cancer Research
Side-Out Foundation
Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County
Trinity Catholic School
Ted Mullin Foundation
Hockey Coaches Care
United Way of Oswego County
American Cancer Society/Coaches vs. Cancer/Relay for Life
State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)
Human Concerns of Oswego
St. Pauls’ CYO Basketball
US Armed Forces
Move Along, Inc.
Kay Yow Foundation
Girl Scouts of America
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Past Years of Lakers in the Community2012-132011-122010-11
