CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Salem College athletic department received an NADIIIAA Community Service One Time Project / Activity Award from NACDA on Jan. 15, 2020. NACDA, which is the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, recognized Salem for its commitment to Day of Service activities which took place in the Winston-Salem community in 2019.

The NADIIIAA Community Service Awards program, established in 2001, is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. In addition to presenting commemorative awards to the four winning institutions, NADIIIAA will make up to a $750 contribution to the general scholarship fund at each of these institutions. The awards will be presented during the NADIIIAA Reception at the NCAA Convention held at Anaheim Marriott on Saturday, January 25.

The Day of Service, which took place on Jan. 18, 2019, included all first-year students, student-athletes and entire department of athletic staff from Salem College. Those individuals participated in the schools’ first community Day of Service by volunteering at local non-profit organizations and schools.

The multiple venues that members of the campus community volunteered at were Happy Hill Cemetery, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, City of Lights Ministry, Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Thrift Store, Senior Services, Springwell, SECU Family House, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sunnyside Ministry, Diggs-Latham Elementary School, Forsyth Educator Partnership Warehouse, Brunson Elementary School, Downtown Elementary School and Habitat Restore.

In 2020, Salem is expanding the Day of Service to be accessible to all members of the student body, including student athletes, and faculty / staff throughout campus.

Salem’s Director of Athletics, Trish Hughes, spearheaded the concept in 2019 with the idea of growth for years to come. “The opportunity for our students to serve in the greater Winston-Salem community is invaluable experience. In the spirit and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this day is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities and build bridges throughout the Triad and North Carolina.”

NADIIIAA athletics administrators from over 350 institutions and conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Association encourages the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational principles and the Division III philosophy. NADIIIAA is administered by NACDA, which is in its 55th year.

For more information on Salem athletics, check out www.salemspirits.com.