Augusta University Athletics Recognized for Community Service

Augusta University student-athletes making a positive impact through community service.

News Summary

Augusta University Athletics has earned recognition as one of the top NCAA Division II programs for community service for the third consecutive year. Student-athletes contributed over 2,000 service hours through partnerships with local organizations, showcasing a strong commitment to giving back. Notably, the softball team ranked in the top 5 nationally for community service hours. This achievement reflects Augusta’s dedication to community engagement and highlights the importance of teamwork and volunteerism in athletics.

Augusta, Georgia – Augusta University Athletics has once again made its mark in community service, being recognized among the top NCAA Division II programs nationwide. For the third consecutive year, the department placed in the top 20 of the 2024-25 NCAA Helper Helper Service Challenge, a program that ranks athletic departments based on their community service efforts.

Since August 1, 2024, Augusta’s student-athletes accumulated a remarkable 2,068 validated hours of community service. Engaging with 21 local organizations, they participated in over 900 volunteer commitments. The department boasted a participation rate of 77 percent, with 238 out of 310 student-athletes taking part in service activities through 64 different opportunities.

Among the standout performances, the Augusta softball program ranked in the top 5 nationally among all Division II softball teams for community service hours. The rankings revealed that the following departments contributed significantly to Augusta Athletics’ total:

Softball: 612 hours
Baseball: 249 hours
Volleyball: 242 hours
Women’s Basketball: 219 hours
Men’s Basketball: 185 hours

The NCAA Helper Helper Service Challenge highlighted the collective efforts of Division II student-athletes, who logged a total of 199,537 service hours through 4,334 opportunities across the nation. Additionally, nearly 54,000 student-athletes contributed over 610,000 hours of service across all NCAA divisions during the 2024-25 academic year.

Augusta’s Director of Athletics noted that community service is integral to the core mission of Augusta Athletics. The department has cultivated partnerships with various local organizations, such as the CSRA Buddy Walk, Tunnel to Towers, Habitat for Humanity, AU Volunteer Services, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Georgia Cancer Center, as well as the Richmond and Columbia County School Systems.

Impactful Community Engagement

The Jaguar Team Service Award has been introduced to recognize the team that completes the most community service throughout the year, further emphasizing the department’s commitment to giving back. Additionally, the Augusta Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a community Easter Egg Hunt on April 16, aimed at promoting family engagement while also supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Conclusion

Augusta University Athletics continues to reinforce its position as a leader in community service within the NCAA Division II landscape. With consistent recognition and exemplary service hours logged by student-athletes, Augusta strives to make a positive impact on their community while promoting the values of teamwork, selflessness, and connection in sports.