INDIANAPOLIS – Shippensburg University is one of 18 national winners of the NACMA/Division II Community Engagement Award of Excellence for generating community involvement through its 2009 Special Olympics Fun Meet.

The third annual Fun Meet, held November 12, was designated by the NCAA as one of 18 “ideas that work” in regards to the national initiative for community engagement at the Division II level. More information about the community engagement initiative can be found on the NCAA web site.

The free event was held as a fund-raiser for the local Special Olympics swim team and featured various swimming competitions between Special Olympians and some of Shippensburg University's student-athletes and coaches. The pep band, cheerleaders and mascot Big Red were in attendance along with various campus and community members to cheer on the competitors. Funds were raised and given to the local Special Olympics group to help offset travel and competition expenses.

The NCAA will award a $500 grant to Shippensburg University as a reward for creativity in advancing relationships within the community.

It is the second straight year that the NCAA has awarded Shippensburg for its community engagement. SU was previously honored for its “Jam the Gym” promotion on Jan. 17, 2009 in which more than 2,200 fans attended a nationally-televised basketball doubleheader against East Stroudsburg. The Raider athletics department provided the first 2,000 fans to arrive with free T-shirts and held competitions and giveaways during every media timeout.