UPDATE:
Due to the weather, outdoor projects included with the event will no longer be taking place. This has changed site locations, and potentially some projects. All activities will be indoors. Some athletes from projects that were cancelled have also been redistributed to other projects. The larger number of athletes on indoor projects may result in some projects being finished early.
ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – On April 27, Northern State University student-athletes will team up with the United Way of Northeastern South Dakota to give back to a community that has given so much to them.
Saturday is the 17th annual Day of Champions, and the Wolves will spend the day volunteering at various community organizations, performing tasks from cleaning to painting to yard cleanup.
The Day of Champions started in 2002 as a collaborative effort between the NSU Athletic Department and the United Way. Since then, a total of 2,200 Northern State student-athletes have worked on more than 178 projects with 16,800 hours of labor – which equates to $177,000 worth of donated labor.
“The Day of Champions has become a rite of passage for NSU student-athletes. A day of service to our region that is an extension of the classroom and the field of competition,” said Executive Director of Northeastern S.D. United Way Aaron Schultz. “The students and coaches exemplify the character and the work ethic that the folks of our region love to support. They approach this day with the same passion and commitment they bring to every practice and game.”
This year, the Wolves will volunteer at 17 locations around the area, including: Aberdeen Area Senior Center, Aberdeen Community Theatre, Aberdeen Family YMCA, Aberdeen Ride Line, Boys and Girls Club of Aberdeen, Frederick Community, Girl Scouts, Britton Community, Hub Area Habitat for Humanity, Lee Park Golf Course, LSS New Beginnings Center, Westport Community, Safe Harbor, The Salvation Army, Parmley Historical Museum, Sertoma Club and Tiger Post.
“The Day of Champions is something that the community really appreciates because we have these young people out there giving back – just like Northern fans give so much support to our teams, and to our entire university,” said NSU President Dr. Tim Downs. “I’m proud of our students, and I’m proud to be part of a university and community that work together so well.”
The event is sponsored by NSU Athletics, United Way of Northeastern S.D., Eide Bailly, Target of Aberdeen, Twist Cone, Jimmy Johns, Aberdeen Ride Line, 3M, Dacotah Bank and Aberdeen Sertoma Club.
Follow the Wolves on social media throughout the day for updates from across the region. Photos from the weekend will also be posted to the NSU Athletics website on Sunday.