Dec. 14, 2006

Loudonville, N.Y. - Siena's Student Athlete Advisory Committee teamed up with the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy in an effort to adopt local families this holiday season. All 18 varsity sports sponsored a family and successfully fulfilled their holiday wish lists.

"I am very proud of all the efforts of our Student Athlete Advisory Committee this holiday season," said life skills coordinator Ellen Howe. "Through their efforts, we were able to support 17 families in need this holiday season. This is a remarkable group of student-athletes that care deeply about Siena athletics and the local community."

SAAC representatives from each team received a list of their family's needs. After a successful fundraising effort, student-athletes went on a shopping spree fulfilling their adopted family's wishes. On Tuesday, SAAC held a special gift wrapping session prior to the delivery of the presents. With the assistance of head coaches Jim Bowles, Brian Brecht, Steve Karbowski and academic advisory Gail Picillo over 150 presents were wrapped in record time.

"Overall, it was a wonderful accomplishment that all of our athletic teams were able to work together to support a family during the holiday season," said Howe.