Mercer Athletics Wins A-Sun Fundraising Competition for 2007-08

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 MACON, Ga. – The third annual Atlantic Sun Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) fundraising competition again shattered records as the combined efforts resulted in $21,966 raised for charities ranging from the American Cancer Society to local youth programs and local hospitals.

For the first time in the three-year history of the fundraiser, each school could choose their charitable cause. Mercer, after finishing second to UNF last year, won the title, raising $6,500 and establishing an institutional record. Florida Gulf Coast finished second, raising $3,703 with Campbell claiming third with $3,214.

“We share a common commitment in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and that is Building Winners For Life,” Atlantic Sun Commissioner Ted Gumbart said. “The student-athletes at our member institutions embody the very best in collegiate athletics, and we are proud that they have made giving back to their communities a focus at each campus SAAC. Our student-athletes are winners, and they are helping to build and better the lives of others. Congratulations and thanks to our student-athletes, who make working in college athletics so satisfying.”

The purpose of the SAAC is to promote and actively encourage the involvement of student-athletes on campus and in their communities, while allowing those student-athletes to have an open line of communication to voice their concerns to institutional administrations and the conference office.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Rick Cameron is senior associate athletic director for communications, overseeing athletic media relations, including management of mercerbears.com, the official website of Mercer Athletics, while also maintaining his broadcasting responsibilities as Voice of the Bears.