Division II has been outspoken about how the office of student affairs on campuses can help integrate athletics into the campus experience and provide a big assist to student-athlete success. During a 2009 NCAA Convention presentation in fact, West Florida VP for Student Affairs Debbie Ford told Management and Presidents Council members that “We truly are about the same mission – student success. So when you go back to your campuses and engage about the strategic-positioning platform with coaches, staff and student-athletes, don’t forget about the student affairs people.”

Peach Belt Conference officials took that message to heart recently by having student affairs VPs at league institutions organize a community/campus-engagement event at the conference’s men’s and women’s basketball championships March 4-8 in Aiken, South Carolina.

The featured attractions included a student/faculty art show that was on display for the duration of the tournaments and a Spirit Day competition on the day of the men’s and women’s semifinals.

About 25 students and 18 faculty members contributed to the art show, which was on display right in the arena so that fans could browse before, between and after games. University presidents and art faculty members joined the participating artists and their families for a pregame reception to show their appreciation.

The Spirit Day competition took place before the semifinals and showcased more than 200 participants in three contests (dance, pep band and cheer). The event attracted about 500 enthusiasts. Three judges with no ties to any of the schools awarded prizes based on performance.

“The awards were the same as those presented to student-athletes after they win a conference championship,” said John Semeraro, Peach Belt director of external operations. “And to add to the environment, PBC bands were chanting their school name back and forth at each other, and fans were dancing in the stands.”

Semeraro said the event gave individuals who might be attracted singularly to the basketball games, spirit competitions or the art show a chance to attend all three in one setting.

“From a campus perspective, this event also allowed a larger number of PBC students the opportunity to participate in a PBC event. Overall it was a huge success in bringing together campus and local communities,” Semeraro said. “Thanks to the support from student affairs offices on PBC campuses, student-athletes and coaches felt this was a tangible way they can show support for the cheerleaders, pep band and dance team members that have supported their teams throughout the season.”

Read more about the Peach Belt community-engagement effort on the “Ideas that Work” section of the Division II community-engagement Web site.