The Salem State women's soccer team pictured here with Carrie Holstrom held a fundraiser in 2006 to help benefit the Shriners Burn Hospital for Children and the Kicks 4 Carrie Fund. The fund was created to help Carrie Holstrom, an all-star soccer player from Dartmouth High School, who was seriously injured in a car accident in 2006.

SALEM, MA - Salem State College was recently recognized for its outstanding commitment to community service by the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA)/Jostens Community Service Award. Salem State, which earned an Honorable Mention award in the "Array of Projects" category, was one of eighteen schools to receive national honors for various charitable activities performed by student-athletes during the 2006-2007 academic year.

The program, which is co-sponsored by the NADIIIAA and Jostens, a Minneapolis based company that provides educational institutions with awards and memorabilia, acknowledges the contributions student-athletes make to their campuses and local communities in three categories, One-Time projects, an Array of Projects and On-Going Projects.

Head women's soccer coach Nicolle Wood, who is also the faculty representative for SAAC (Student-Athletic Advisory Committee) at Salem State helped coordinate many of the service projects that the students participated in. Their efforts included special events and fundraisers for Shriner's Burn Hospital for Children, My Brother's Table, Girls Incorporated of Lynn, and the Danvers Food Bank. Varsity athletes were also involved in reading programs at local schools, and offered free sports clinics to youth teams in surrounding areas." I am very proud of our student-athletes and their commitment to community service during the first year of our CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success) program. Despite the various demands on their time juggling academics, athletics, and in many cases a part-time job, they found a way to give back to causes that were important to them."

Athletic Director Tim Shea was extremely appreciative of the efforts that Nicolle and all of the student-athletes made to collectively become more involved in helping people in need.

"The dedication and enthusiasm displayed by our teams to give back to the North Shore community makes all of us at Salem State College very proud. Our student-athletes community service group and their advisor, Nicolle Wood, are to be commended for receiving such a prestigious honor."

Salem State will receive their award at the 2008 NCAA Convention, which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, January 11-14, 2008.