April 15, 2002
On Saturday April 6, several Siena student-athletes volunteered spent their afternoon with local youths in recognition of National Student-Athlete Day. The majority of the children were from St. Casimir Elementary School in Albany's Arbor Hill District and the day served as another step in the blossoming relationship between the two institutions.
National STUDENT-Athlete Day is America's Day to celebrate the contributions of student-athletes to the greater society. Established eleven years ago by Sport in Society and the NCAS, National STUDENT-Athlete Day is now co-sponsored by the NCAA. Annually celebrated on April 6, National STUDENT-Athlete Day was designed to acknowledge the accomplishments of student-athletes in the classroom, on the playing field and in their communities. It also was created to recognize parents, teachers, coaches and school systems who make it possible for young people to find balance between academics and athletics.
National STUDENT-Athlete Day has three major components. One is the national program in which high school and college student-athletes are recognized through an award certificate program. They are chosen by their coaches and athletic directors and are honored at events which take place on their campuses or in their communities throughout the month of April.
The second component is signature events which take place in cities around the country and at both the men's and women's final four.
Michelle Bronner, the athletic academic advisor at Siena, served as the catalyst for the initiative in Loudonville. More than 25 student-athletes from various sports took part in the festivities which ranged from scavenger hunts to various games and outdoor activities.
The day was co-sponsored by the Albany Times Union which allowed for each participant to receive a T-shirt and a barbeque lunch.
