DANVILLE, Va. — Raising a school-record amount of more than $1,800, Averett University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was crowned the winner of the USA South Conference's 2015 Pennies for a Purpose competition.
 
Averett SAAC collected $1,805 for Pennies for a Purpose, which will be donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The Cougars' total is the fourth-highest single-year total collected in the contest's eight-year history. Overall, the USA South institutions collected a record $7,301.47. LaGrange College raised $1,220.00 to finish second, while Maryville College finished third with $934.48.

"Our committee worked extremely hard all semester to make this possible and we are very excited and proud to have been a part of this," said senior Nicole Barringer, Averett SAAC president. "The university came together for such a good cause, which allowed us to place first in the competition for the first time."

Conference schools had until April 7 to collect loose change which would later be donated to an organization of their choosing. The end of this year's initiative coincides with the NCAA's fourth-annual Division III Week.
 
Inspired by Dr. Carrie Hendrick, the director of Averett's Athletic Training Education Program and former head athletic trainer who is battling ovarian cancer, Averett SAAC chose The V Foundation as its Pennies for a Purpose beneficiary because it is a non-profit organization, and the money goes directly to cancer research.

"I'm so proud of SAAC and the whole Averett community for coming together as one team," Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens said. "Winning Pennies for a Purpose is a wonderful accomplishment, but more importantly we helped raise money for a an even greater cause that has affected colleagues, friends and loved ones. To see SAAC rally around Carrie and her battle is truly inspiring."
 
SAAC helped raise money through a number of events, including hosting "Caring for Carrie" at Averett's Feb. 4 basketball doubleheader. The student organization collected donations, held a half-court shot contest and took pledges from faculty and staff. SAAC also assisted Averett's Cougar Activities Board (CAB) and resident assistants in selling bracelets and helped the Averett softball team sell "Strike Out Cancer" T-shirts for its event scheduled for April 10. SAAC also held a Pie in the Face contest where a handful of athletics department staff each had jars and people could donate money to the jar of their choosing to select which participant would get pied.
 
"The total amount we raised over the semester was definitely a campus and community effort," Barringer said. "Without the support of not only athletics, but from main campus as well as the Danville community, this amount would not have been possible. It is a testament to how supportive we all are of each other. As Director of Athletics Meg Stevens always says, 'One team, One Averett.' When people in our community are going through a tough time, the Averett community as well as the Danville community come together like a family and support them in any way that they can and assure them that they do not fight alone. That is exactly why we were able to raise so much money for the Jimmy V Foundation."
 
It is the second major honor for Averett SAAC in as many days. SAAC received Averett's Outstanding Student Organization award during Tuesday's annual Averett University Honors & Scholars Banquet.

"Averett SAAC is truly a student-led organization. I'm continually impressed by their leadership for our department, university and the surrounding community," said Carly Pearce, SAAC advisor, women's soccer coach and senior woman administrator. "This award is a result of their continued teamwork with a goal to improve the lives of others. Dr. Carrie Hendrick's courage and determination to beat cancer galvanized SAAC into action."
 
 
Below is a list of the local organizations where the USA South institutions donated their collections:
Averett University - The Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research.
Covenant College - Project 52, a local organization that serves the low-income community.
Huntingdon College - The Montgomery, Alabama Common Ground Ministries.
LaGrange College - Autism Speaks.
Mary Baldwin College - Split between the New Directions Child Day Care, the Augusta Health Cancer Center Bridge Fund and the HEART Program.
Maryville College - Split between The Kay Yow Foundation, Area 15 Special Olympics and the Kim Rowden Memorial Fund.
Meredith College - Special Olympics of Wake County, North Carolina.
Methodist University - The Kay Yow Foundation.
N.C. Wesleyan College - Split between The Kay Yow Foundation and the "Coaches vs. Cancer" NABC Foundation.
Piedmont College - Local soup kitchens.
William Peace University - The Miracle League of the Triangle.


The USA South Conference contributed to this report.