New Haven, CT - The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee set another fund-raising record in its relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation with a total of $283,693 for the 2007-08 academic year. The total is the highest since the Division II SAAC began its relationship with Make-A-Wish in 2003-04 and significantly exceeds last year's record of $208,022.
Over five years, the Division II SAAC has collected more than $733,000, constituting one of the largest grass-roots contributions to Make-A-Wish.
"One of the many initiatives that make Division II unique is the commitment from SAAC to represent service through the Make-A-Wish Foundation," said Division II Vice President Mike Racy. "Our student-athletes have taken great pride and ownership of this issue and have built upon its success year after year."
This year's total includes contributions from all 22 conferences, Division II independents, the Division II Leadership Academy, the Division II Management and Presidents Councils and the NCAA national office.
Two conferences - the Heartland Conference and the Northeast-10 Conference - received donations from their entire membership. The Northeast-10 raised the most money with more than $48,000 in donations. The Sunshine State Conference and Conference Carolinas raised more than $15,000, while six other leagues eclipsed the $10,000 mark. The Division II Management and Presidents Councils pledged $15,000.
CACC institutions raised a total of $12,115.34 in 2007-08, which set a record for the conference.