UB Division of Athletics Receives Community Involvement Award

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo Division of Athletics has been selected to receive the 2011 Cheektowaga Central Community Involvement Award. Now in its eighth year of existence, UB has won in the Business/Agency/Organization Category.

The award will be presented on Tuesday night at Cheektowaga High School. Cornelia Willis, a senior on the UB rowing team, Student Athlete Development Coordinator Kellie Pieper and Assistant Athletic Director Sharon Sanford will be accepting the award for UB.

Willis is the Community Outreach Officer for UB’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is the creator of the UB a Pen Pal Program. The program is centered around the Cheektowaga Middle School and UB Student-Athletes. Participants correspond with their assigned students and share their athletic experiences throughout their season. During their off-season, athletes write about practices, healthy lifestyles, and answer students' questions.

This program was designed to extend UB’s impact on the community, increase the middle schools students’ awareness of college-related opportunities, and inspire in the middle school students a goal of healthy lifestyle through exercise and nutrition and unite them against bullying. Students compile questions, stories, and good luck cards; athletes share their experiences on the road and in training through letters and pictures.