Averett University Athletics

Averett Athletics Community Service Projects & Programs

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Numerous Averett student-athletes work with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville to reach out to the city's youth. Averett student-athletes mentor area kids and once a week they eat lunch at school with their "little." Averett teams also invite the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to group outings at games.

Cans Across the Conference: The holidays are a time to give thanks and appreciate the blessings in one's life. The members of the USA South Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) realized that not everyone is as fortunate as they are and wanted to do something to help make it a happier holiday in their communities. And so Cans Across the Conference was initiated in 2004. SAAC organized the canned food drive as a community service competition amongst the 10 institutions in the USA South.  Each campus SAAC collected cans and other non-perishable items at their school to benefit a local charity. It is up to each institution to decide how they wanted to collect and to which group the donation would go. Averett donates its items to God's Storehouse of Danville. Averett won Cans Across the Conference in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Cancer Awareness: Each year, Averett teams and student-athletes promote cancer awareness. The volleyball team designates at least one match a season as its "Dig Pink" game. The team raises money to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness and takes donations at the game while sporting pink accessories with its uniforms. Averett’s men’s and women’s basketball teams along with the softball team have hosted “Teal Games” to raise money for The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. In 2016, SAAC, in conjunction with help from football coaches and players, sponsored the De-Feet Cancer Marathon to raise money for Nicholas Brown, a football player diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. And the men's and women's lacrosse programs have also hosted Team Molly benefit games to raise money for cancer research.

Pennies for a Purpose:  In an effort to help worthy organizations during the spring semester, the USA South SAAC developed "Pennies for a Purpose" in 2008 to donate funds to charities. Averett brought home the "Pennies for a Purpose" title in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Past proceeds have been donated locally to God's Storehouse or to other specific causes.

Week to Engage: Averett student-athletes and coaches give back to the community throughout the school year while also emphasizing Week to Engage. Through a collaborative effort with Averett’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competiveness, student-athletes participate in a variety of activities on a designated week during both the fall and spring semesters. Many teams coordinate with the local Habitat For Humanity, working on numerous Habitat houses in the Danville area as well as visiting elementary schools to engage with younger students. Members of Averett sports teams have also been involved in Autism Awareness events in Danville along with efforts in landscaping, gardening, and area beautification.

Youth Outreach: Averett student-athletes enjoy reaching out to kids in the Danville area. Several teams hold youth clinics throughout the school year and encourage kids to come and learn new skills and techniques. Other teams also act as positive role models through various activities such as talking to kids in area schools or working with local youth sports organizations. The student-athletes read to elementary students as part of the Danville READS initiative to inspire students and promote reading throughout the city.