DANVILLE, Va. — The USA South Athletic Conference presented its "Pennies for a Purpose" plaque to Averett University at its football game versus Maryville on Saturday. USA South Associate Commissioner Mike Christie was on hand to present the award to Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks, Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens and Averett Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members Brittany Daley, Riley Smith and Samm Chandler.

In an effort to help worthy organizations during the spring semester, the USA South Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) developed, "Pennies for a Purpose", in 2008. Institutions are encouraged to collect loose change which is later donated to an organization of their choosing. As a whole, USA South institutions collected a record $7,301.47 during last year's campaign. Averett earned the "Pennies for a Purpose" plaque for the first time in school history after collecting a conference-best $1,805 last spring.