Division II schools have a history of connecting with their communities through campus events, especially athletics. Division II’s recent emphasis on community engagement has produced a Web site (diicommunity.org) that lets institutions share their community success stories and notify peers about upcoming events that put Division II institutions at the heart of their communities.
Following is a sample of those success stories:

Little ’Toppers for a Day
West Liberty State College
Hilltopper student-athletes hosted about 100 kids in grades K-5 from the Wheeling, West Virginia, area in mid-November.

Each Little ’Topper received a T-shirt and was placed onto a team. West Liberty State student-athletes, acting as coaches, took the kids through 13 activity stations before the Little ’Topper teams participated in a variety of relay races. Each Little ’Topper received a first-place medal from their student-coach and a note from school mascot Topper the Bear.

“Our SAAC is planning to follow-up with the Little ’Toppers by sending each student a postcard with their team’s picture on it and a note from their coaches in hopes of seeing the kids at Hilltopper sporting events and future Little Topper programs,” said Heather Gallagher, assistant athletics director and SAAC advisor at West Liberty State.

West Liberty State SAAC Community Outreach Coordinator Mike Darrah said, “We look forward to this event every year. The kids love it and our student-athletes love it. It’s basically a giant recess for everyone. Who wouldn’t love that?”

Ram Madness
Philadelphia University
The second annual Ram Madness was a night of school spirit, great giveaways, raffles and high energy marking the start of the school’s basketball seasons. Proceeds from Ram Madness benefited Philadelphia’s Northern Home for Children, which serves families and children facing extraordinary challenges. With the help of sponsors such as Murray Dodge, Chubby’s Steaks and the generosity of the entire student body and university faculty and staff, more than $2,000.00 was raised to purchase new school uniforms for boys at the Northern Home.

“It was a night to remember and one that celebrated the defining qualities of NCAA Division II athletics,” said Matthew Connors, who coordinates special athletics events and works in the sports information staff. “Learning, balance, character, fair play, spirit and a sense of community were clearly and proudly on display.”