College Sports Information Directors of America

from Sam Atkinson (Gallaudet University SID), Chair of CoSIDA Goodwill Committee

Lead photo, above: The top finishers in the CoSIDA 5K Fun Run/Walk running division are pictured (l to r): Libby Poland from Centre (finished third), Katie Rau (second) while Erica Roberson from Elon finished first in the women's division in 19:42. On the men’s side, Jeremy Rosenthal from College of Charleston won the race in 17:26 followed by Dave Parson (Mount Vernon Nazarene) and Alan Grosbach from McPherson.

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Members of CoSIDA in attendance at the 2011 CoSIDA Convention in Marco Island, Fla. a few weeks ago once again showed their generosity and for the first time participated in a CoSIDA 5K Fun Run/Walk to benefit the St. Matthew’s House in Naples, Fla.

The Goodwill Committee along with the Young CoSIDA group demonstrated “CoSIDA Cares” as they combined to raise a record $1,610 for the local charity to go with over 100 donated items, ranging from clothing, shoes to toiletry items.




The 2011 CoSIDA Convention got off to a great start on Sunday, June 26, as the 5K run/walk was held on the beach at the Marriott Marco Island Resort & Spa. The 5K run/walk was supported and financially backed by the CoSIDA Board of Directors and set up with the recreation staff at the Marriott. The CoSIDA Goodwill Committee ran registration and collected $5 per runner or $10 per family. Nearly 100 runners/walkers participated - official count was 96 - as $700 was raised through the event.

"We have a great spirit of community and service in our CoSIDA organization, and the efforts in Marco Island to combine a wellness/fitness event along with charity donations was outstanding," noted outgoing CoSIDA President Larry Dougherty. "There's a tremendous amount of preparation, organization and passion which goes into holding a 5K run and raising charitable dollars and gathering donations. The CoSIDA leadership once again is grateful to the Goodwill Committee, particularly to Chair Sam Atkinson and vice-chair Ryan Klinkner, for their great efforts in Marco Island. We also thank the Young CoSIDA group for their generosity and hard work in raising funds as well for St. Matthew's House during one of their social events."

"The Marriott Marco Island Director of Recreation Nick Wagner told me on the morning of the race that he has never seen such a great turnout for a race/walk on their property," Dougherty concluded. "It's a testament to our members and to the organizers that the event was such a success. On behalf of the CoSIDA Board, we thank the Goodwill Committee, Young CoSIDA, the race participants and all those who donated to St. Matthew's House. A special thanks to our corporate partner, the Rose Bowl, for donating prizes for the top 5K finishers."

“I want to thank the CoSIDA Board of Directors, Nick Wagner the recreation director at the Marriott and the Goodwill Committee members for their help with the 5K run/walk. For a first time event I was very excited to have 96 people participate,” said CoSIDA Goodwill Committee Chair Sam Atkinson, SID at Gallaudet University. “As a committee we have been stressing health as a big goal so we felt it was important to hold an event like this to get SIDs moving and thinking more about their health. In the end it was great to know our members’ participation helped a worthy cause in the St. Matthew’s House.”

The first runner to cross the finish line was Jeremy Rosenthal from College of Charleston as he cruised to victory in 17 minutes, 26 seconds. Dave Parsons from Mount Vernon Nazarene University (18:12) and Alan Grosbach from McPherson College (18:46) were close behind Rosenthal.

The first woman runner to finish was Erica Roberson from Elon University in 19:42 followed by Katie Rau from Missouri Baptist University (21:54) and Libby Poland from Centre College (23:38).

PICTURED, RIGHT: The top walkers in the event were Koby Padgett from the University of South Carolina (34:47) in the men's division and women's top finisher Hope Robinson, wife of Jesse Robinson who is the SID at The College of St. Scholastica.

The top family in the 5K was the Southards (Jason, Katie and Zach) from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy while Zach Southard and Gage Baldwin from Michigan State University were the top two youth participants to finish the event.

All of the category recipients listed above received prizes from the Rose Bowl Game at Tournament of Roses, courtesy of Rose Bowl media coordinator Stephanie Montano.

“Thanks for organizing the first ever CoSIDA 5K! It was awesome to see so many people get involved,” said Parsons after the race.

For the second year in a row the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee ran a clothing donation drive during Sunday and Monday’s registration timeframe where members were able to drop off clothing for St. Matthew’s House. Member of the Goodwill Committee then made a special trip to St. Matthew’s House where they dropped off the donations and received a tour of the facility by President and Chief Executive Officer Rev. Vann Ellison.

“As a committee we want to thank our fellow CoSIDA members for being so gracious in making a donation towards St. Matthew’s House,” said CoSIDA Goodwill Committee Vice-Chair Ryan Klinkner, SID at St. John’s (Minn.) University. “The group of us that got a tour of the facility by Rev. Ellison were really moved and sadden by the hardships facing their residents. We hope our donations can help brighten spirits.”

Young CoSIDA ran its charity raffle for the third year in a row on Wednesday, June 29, at Rookie’s Bar & Grill with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to St. Matthew’s House. Young CoSIDA had a new set up this year as everyone that bought a raffle ticket for $5 was guaranteed a prize. The group gave away 170 items and had to turn away another 30 people because tickets had sold out.

“We’re very proud that the raffle has grown each year, but that is in large part to the astounding donations – both in quality and quantity - that come in from colleges, conferences, bowl games, and professional teams,” said Young CoSIDA president Jason Southard of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. “The generosity of the CoSIDA membership in supporting our raffle has been tremendous, and we are looking toward the future for ways that we can continue its success once we merge with NACDA after next year’s convention.”

In three years the Young CoSIDA charity raffle has accumulated over $1,600 for three different charities; San Antonio Food Bank (2009), St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco (2010) and St. Matthew’s House in Naples, Fla. (2011).

During that span and efforts the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee has raised nearly $2,500, donated over 500 items and committed 80 community service hours to two different service projects.

The CoSIDA Goodwill Committee is already planning for the 2012 convention in St. Louis where they will continue with its charitable events; donation drive, return of a service project, charity raffle with Young CoSIDA and looking into a second 5K run/walk. If you are interested in becoming a member of the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee or have questions about our efforts please e-mail sam.atkinson@gallaudet.edu.

About St. Matthew’s House
The mission of St. Matthew’s House (SMH) is to change lives in a spiritual environment that is both compassionate and disciplined, as well as providing housing for the homeless and food for the needy. SMH, a non-profit entity, along with Immokalee Friendship House has been serving the homeless, hungry and hopeless since 1987. SMH is the only emergency housing and recovery program in Collier County, offering 170 beds for men, women, and families. Serving meals at the Old Firehouse, SMH is the only feeding ministry in Naples, as well as operating three thrift stores, two food pantries, Wolfe Apartments transitional affordable housing and a direct assistance program to individual and families in need. For more information about the St. Matthew’s House please log onto its website www.stmatthewshouse.org or call 239.774.0500.