Eckerd Named Finalist for NCAA Division II Award of Excellence

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Eckerd Athletics department has been announced as one of 28 finalists for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence for its work with the tenth annual "Christmas For Kids" event held in December 2019.

Each year, Division II selects one finalist from each of its 23 conferences as well as independent representatives to be recognized for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campus. Each of the 28 finalists receives $500 for the award.

"Christmas for Kids" has been named a finalist for the Award of Excellence three times over the last five years, receiving recognition in 2016 and 2020. 

Since 2010 the Eckerd men's and women's basketball teams alongside Director of Athletics, Tom Ryan, help ease the financial burden for many local St. Petersburg families through the annual "Christmas for Kids" event.

The tenth annual event in 2019 served 91 children making up 24 families. Each child received $250 worth of Christmas toys, including most children receiving a bicycle or tablet, while each family was also given $300 worth of household items.

Before the event, the teams and Tom Ryan shop and carefully chose gifts for each child and then wrapped each gift. The families are treated to a holiday feast catered by Bon Apetit, with the student-athletes serving the families. Spirits are brightened throughout the event as the student-athletes interact with the children and families. 

Each year, local St. Petersburg businessman, Billy Hume, raises the money through the community for the gifts and supplies and Retired Dean of Students, Lena Wilfalk, works with local social workers to find the families in need. 

The national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will select the winner, which will be announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 15 at the virtual 2021 NCAA Convention. The winner will receive an additional $2,500, the first runner-up will receive $1,250, and the second runner-up will receive $1,000 with all prize money intended for future community engagement events.

FINALISTS: Humboldt State (Calif.), Wilmington (Del.), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Belmont Abbey (N.C.), Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.), Arkansas Tech, Wayne State (Mich.), Truman State (Mo.), Walsh (Ohio), Simon Fraser, Auburn-Montgomery, Texas A&M Commerce, Missouri Western, Notre Dame (Ohio), American International (Mass.), Minnesota Duluth, Concordia Irvine (Calif.), North Georgia, Gannon (Penn.), Metropolitan State Denver, Wingate (N.C.), Albany State (Ga.), ECKERD, Cedarville (Ohio), Central Washington, Converse (S.C.), Hawaii- Hilo, Queens (N.C.), St. Cloud State (Minn.).