Race is On For SLIAC Service Award
MacMurray College pulled in front of the 2017-18 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference SAAC Service Award in what is shaping up to be another close race. MacMurray, who used a second-half push last year to win their fourth consecutive overall service award, jumped in front after compiling over 11,000 points during the winter season. Working with Toys For Tots and volunteering at numerous local grade schools to supervise recess and babysit, the Highlanders were the only SLIAC member to reach double figures in points for the winter season and now have 29,343 points on the year.
Iowa Wesleyan University, who battled MacMurray for the top overall spot down to the wire last year, is in second place after the winter totals with 27,747 points. The Tigers recorded 6,956 points during the winter thanks to canned food drives and as well as fundraisers that included raising money for the VHL Foundation.
Principia College totaled the third most points this winter with 4,480 and are in third place overall with 17,620 this year. The Panther student-athletes maintained their weekly visits to the local Alton Boys and Girls Club.
Fontbonne University pushed into the double-digit point totals for the year with 10,466 after registering over 4,000 points this winter. The Griffins were active in putting together a Thanksgiving Tree and holding donations for Christmas Families.
Webster University is in fifth place overall with 9,214 points and highlighted their winter by hosting Special Olympics teams to play at halftime of their basketball games with a pizza party afterward.
Greenville University moved up a spot in the standings by more than doubling their service points from the fall, totaling 3,771 during the winter seasons thanks to working with Operation Christmas Child.
Blackburn College accumulated 1,638 points this winter, and have 4,078 on the year, after collecting money and shopping for families in need and donating to the Carlinville Food Pantry.
Westminster College nearly doubled their point total and currently have 1,973 points this year. Eureka College and Spalding University round out the service award standings.
With three more months left in the school year, eight of ten schools have already surpassed their service point totals from last year and combined SLIAC schools have totaled over 100,000 points; which includes community service hours and money raised. The overall winner of the SLIAC/SAAC Service Award will be honored at the annual SLIAC Awards Banquet on May 15, 2018.
| SLIAC/SAAC Challenge | |||
| School | Fall | Winter | Total |
| MacMurray | 18,321 | 11,022 | 29,343 |
| Iowa Wesleyan | 20,791 | 6,956 | 27,747 |
| Principia | 13,140 | 4,480 | 17,620 |
| Fontbonne | 6,450 | 4,016 | 10,466 |
| Webster | 8,536 | 678 | 9,214 |
| Greenville | 1,500 | 3,771 | 5,271 |
| Blackburn | 2,440 | 1,638 | 4,078 |
| Westminster | 700 | 1,273 | 1,973 |
| Eureka | 310 | --- | 310 |
| Spalding | 10 | --- | 10 |
The SLIAC/SAAC Service Award was established in 2013 with the goal of recognizing an institution that went above and beyond in giving back to their community. In 2016 the SLIAC expanded the award criteria to include community service projects, collections (food and clothing), and donations. Full criteria and the point system is listed below: