Soccer, softball earn title
The University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team and women’s softball team took the obstacle course title at the 2012 National Student-Athlete Day held on April 12.
The event, planned and organized by Associate Professor Michael Diacin’s Sports Finance and Economics class, included the fourth annual NSAD obstacle course, minute-to-win-it contests, interactive games, free food and singing from UIndy basketball player Rose Savela.“The class did a terrific job,” said Assistant Sports Information Director and coordinator of the event Jackie Paquette. “This year is the best it’s ever been.”The class was responsible for NSAD including promotions, scheduling, securing prizes and obtaining supplies for all the games. Student-athletes from every team participated in the event, which is held to celebrate the hard work and dedication student-athletes show to their sports and their academics at UIndy. Prize give-aways included coozies, T-shirts, sunglasses, cups and coupons to Dunkin’ Donuts, Chik-fil-A and Ella’s Frozen Yogurt.“I think it’s important to recognize student-athletes because sometimes their efforts go unrecognized,” said NSAD Chair of Promotional Items Brea Petty. “A college student’s life is demanding enough, but to add on practices and games, it takes a lot of time management and determination to succeed on the field but also in the classroom. This day is to give thanks and show appreciation for all that our student-athletes do with all their hard work they have given the university.”New to this year’s celebration was the “Pie your Coach” event. For $1, student-athletes could pie their coach in the face. Coaches from several different teams participated and allowed their players to smash a pie in their face. According to Petty, “Pie your Coach” raised $106 for Free2Play, an organization that is designed to rescue human trafficking victims.“It was awesome that this raised so much money,” Petty said. “Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was for a good cause.”This year’s obstacle course, a unique UIndy event, was a timed race that went throughout Ruth Lilly Fitness Center, the Athletic Recreation Center and Key Stadium before ending in Ruth Lilly’s pool. Different male and female teams were paired together and competed in field goal kicking, shooting soccer balls, putting, batting, a long jump, volleying and finished by paddling an inflatable boat across the pool. The winning team of men’s soccer and women’s softball completed the course in less than three minutes.Top: Sophomore quarterback Chris Mills and junior defensive lineman Mike Phillips pie graduate assistant Ryan Somsky in the new “Pie your Coach” event. Bottom: Sophomore guard Rosa Savela sings in front of an audience of athletes, coaches and faculty. Photos contributed by George Ezell
“The obstacle course is always a favorite,” Petty said. “Naturally, all the student-athletes get pretty competitive with it and love having the bragging rights of winning.”
Last year’s winner was the track and field team, while men’s and women’s soccer won the first two years the event was held.
According to Paquette, NSAD originated in the 1980s when the NCAA implemented the idea to honor student-athletes. Schools from around the country are encouraged to celebrate the day in any way they choose. UIndy elects to have students organize and plan the entire event, which is funded by the school as a way to give back to the student-athletes.
“It’s a great perspective for them to see the other side,” Paquette said. “It’s very interesting for them to put this event on for the rest of their peers and see the planning side.”
