Sport clubs are known for their competitive spirit and their love of the game, but clubs at Illinois State University are also known for the many ways they give back to the community. Club members are intense on the field of play, but they are just as focused on how they can make a difference in the community. While a majority of our clubs reach out to area youth to teach them about their respective sports, several clubs are also active in a variety of other philanthropies. Check out a few examples:
Ice Hockey—Hosted the annual Teddy Bear Toss where fans were provided free entrance to a game in exchange for a toy donation to Toys-for-Tots of McLean County. In addition, the club donated money raised through their “chuck-a-puck” sales to Homes of Hope, which serves area adults with intellectual disabilities.
Men’s Lacrosse—Partnered with the Marine Corps by hosting the Combat Fitness Test team competition to benefit Toys for Tots.
Fishing—Hosted a kids casting competition at the Illinois Fish and Feather Expo and helped build the Sam Leman pavilion at Evergreen Lake to host youth fishing events and other community activities.
Women’s Soccer—Participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Up ‘Til Dawn event, raising nearly $2,500 to help fight childhood cancer. In fact, the club helped propel Illinois State to the No. 2 top fundraising school in 2015.
Women’s Softball—Volunteered with the Midwest Food Bank to package and distribute food to help alleviate hunger for communities in need. They also served at the Homes of Hope Thanksgiving Dinner to help raise funds for this organization.
Women’s Rugby—Hosted its annual Pack the Pitch Pink philanthropy to benefit the Normal Community Cancer Center, helping to provide mammograms for women in need.
Competitive Dance—Participated in Dancing With The Faculty/Staff Stars to help raise funds for The Baby Fold to support children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders.
Women’s Basketball—Raised money for Habitat for Humanity through Trick-or-Treat for Change.
