CSU Monterey Bay SAAC Members Make A Change For Make-A-Wish

SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its second annual Penny Wars throughout the 2010-2011 year, raising more than 1,500 dollars for Make-A-Wish Foundation the official philanthropy for NCAA Division II. 

For 22 weeks, all 12 teams (with the cross country combined) put pennies in the team’s designated jar for positive points.  Teams were able to give negative points by putting nickels, dimes, quarters or dollars in other teams’ jars.  At the end of each week, the jars were collected and counted so the teams were updated with their standings in the competition.  The jars were at all CSUMB sporting events and in the Otter Athletic Office throughout the year. 

“This was a fun and competitive fundraiser to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said SAAC President Carrie LaPonza. “This was a great way to get all our teams involved.” 

The top two teams were awarded Otter Cup points. The Otter Cup is a competition created to encourage participation in the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success) at CSUMB. The Otter Cup gives student-athletes the opportunity to gain experience and earn points in the five main NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills components: academic excellence, career development, personal development,community service, and athletic excellence. The top two teams in the Otter Cup Competition will be awarded 500 dollars to their team. 

Women’s basketball took top honors by raising 246.83 in their jar while women’s water polo and baseball followed in second and third place respectively.