SAGE STUDENT-ATHLETES PARTICIPATE IN DIVERSITY IN ATHLETICS DISCUSSION

Albany, NY - The student-athletes at The Sage Colleges' attended a presentation on April 5 about Diversity in Athletics. The talk was led by Dr. Nancy Kaplan of St. John's University. She lead an interactive and through provoking discussion on Diversity and Inclusion in Athletics. The talk was held in the Sage Armory and was attended by Sage's student-athletes from the department.

The event was held in conjunction with the seventh annual celebration of D3 Week. This year's celebration for D3 Week is taking place April 2-8, 2018.

WHAT IS DIVISION III WEEK?

April 2-8 marked the seventh annual celebration of the NCAA's D3 Week. In conjunction with the week, which commemorated the true essence of Division III athletics, which involves the full integration of our student-athletes into the campus culture.  Sage's student-athletes are committed to the guiding principals of Division III, Discover, Develop, Dedicate. Division III is a place where student-athletes can "follow your passions and develop your potential," through an approach that combines rigorous academics, competitive athletics and an opportunity to pursue other interests.

Sage's 2018 Division III Week Activites

The Sage Colleges' community is helping to raise funds as the Empire 8 and the Liberty League will square off in their annual change wars. Sage is collecting spare change throughout Division III week around campus and at home athletic events as we help to combine forces with other Empire 8 teams to beat Liberty League members in the collection of change. All proceeds from the Change Wars will benefit NY Special Olympics.

For the second straight year, Sage has held holding a Yards for Yeardley Event. Sage student-athletes in conjunction as well as the Sage Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and members of Sage's community are asked to participate in the event. To date, Sage has walked over 600,000 yards and is looking to surpass last year's total by week's end. Last year, Sage had a goal to run and or walk 1,000,000 yards to raise awareness of domestic violence. The Sage community combined to nearly walk three times as many yards as planned as Sage's participants walked 2,906,371 yards last month.

On Thursday, April 5, Sage's women's lacrosse team held their Sexual Assault Awareness Game in conjunction with the contest. On Saturday, April 7 Sage's men's volleyball team will be in action in a tri-match in Kahl Gym and the Gator men's volleyball team will also bring awareness to the issue of Sexual Assault. Sunday's activities wrap with the Sage softball team hosting Stevens in a 1 p.m. Empire 8 doubleheader at Robison Field in Troy. All of these event will be Sage Sexual Awareness Games.

Sage's Director of Title IX & EEO Compliance, Dishpaul S. Dhuga, J.D. was in attendance at the women's lacrosse game, assisting with any questions concerning the program. In his role at Sage, he is charged with making sure that the college is in compliance with Title IX and NYS Enough is Enough laws, conducts investigations, and provides training and awareness around campus about sexual assault prevention. 

In addition to Yards for Yeardley, Sage also held a Project Linus event.  Sage received donations of fabric to complete 30 blankets that will be donated to children in need. Project Linus is a national volunteer organization providing a sense of security and comfort to children in need through gifts of new handmade blankets. The project hits close to home as Sonny Moschello (Staten Island, NY) is the grandfather of Sage's women's soccer player Samantha Trimblett (Monroe, NY/Monroe Woddbury). Moschello was a longshoreman for 50 years and since retiring, he has been an active volunteer for the organization. He spent hours gathering donations and provided Sage with the fabric and supplies to make 30 blankets which took  place on April 3 in conjunction with the Yards for Yeardley Event.

On April 4, several Sage student-athletes also visited the Albany Ronald McDonald House and made breakfast for the residents. Albany's Ronald McDonald House provides a haven of comfort, love, hope and support, free of charge, for critically ill children and their families.