Northwestern University Athletics
S.A.A.C. Hosts NU P.R.I.D.E. Picnic and Kickball Games
6/4/2015 11:24:00 AM | Academic Services & Student Development
Robert E. and Emily H. King NU P.R.I.D.E. Program held year-end celebration this week
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) sponsored the 2014-15 Kickball and P.R.I.D.E. Picnic event at Sharon J. Drysdale Field on June 2.
This annual event is a great opportunity to celebrate the many successes that occurred during 2014-2015 academic year, as well as continue to build community with the Evanston Fire Department and the Northwestern Police Department. Furthermore, this is a great opportunity for NU student-athletes to celebrate and thank the brave men and women for all that they do for Northwestern and the Evanston Community alike.
In a spirited competition, the NUPD squad, coached by NU Assistant Athletic Director for Community Relations, Maureen Palchak, kicked their way to a 6-2 victory over the Evanston Fire team, which was led by NU Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Jane Wagner.
This year, S.A.A.C. added an additional component to the event. After the kickball game between the Evanston Fire and Northwestern Police Department, a second game between Northwestern coaches and student-athletes was played. Coach Wagner, leading the student-athletes, was able to exact some quick revenge as her team topped the coaching staff, 6-1. Both of the kickball contests were flawlessly umpired by Mike Schweigert, NU Assistant Director for Sports Performance, while Director of Digital and Social Communications, Doug Meffley, served as the eloquent public address announcer.
In between the two tilts, a brief award ceremony was held on the field. The S.A.A.C. President and a co-captain of the women's soccer team, Nandi Mehta, announced the winners of the Willie Award, which goes to the male and female student-athletes who embody P.R.I.D.E. (Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication and Education). The two winners must maintain academic excellence, display athletic excellence and sportsmanship, give freely of their time and energy to the community, show commitment to personal and professional achievement, provide leadership within the athletics community and actively support their peers. The 2014-15 Willie Awards, generously sponsored by the Pomeranz Family, went to Alex Cohen of the women's basketball team and Max Chapman of the football team.
The P.R.I.D.E. Big Game Challenge winner was also unveiled Tuesday. This year the Robert E. and Emily H. King NU P.R.I.D.E. Program designed a competition to increase attendance and support for all 19 varsity athletic teams. Student-athletes were awarded points throughout the academic year for cheering on their fellow Wildcats at each team's chosen NU P.R.I.D.E. Big Game. Student-athletes also earned additional points for attending other games through the fall, winter and spring quarters.
The top three teams in the P.R.I.D.E. Big Game Challenge for 2014-15 were the women's basketball, fencing and field hockey teams. The fencing squad, pictured, below was named the challenge's top program.
