Senior Annalise Rodli is the co-founder and president of Project Survival

SAAC Announces Recipients of National Student-Athlete Day Award

By Lauren Benson '08

May 16, 2007

AMHERST, MA - The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has selected four senior athletes as recipients of the National Student-Athlete Day award.  The winners were chosen based on academics and community service. 
           
For the fall season, women’s soccer tri-captain Piper Crowell was recognized.  A triple major in Political Science, Asian Languages and Civilizations, and Women and Gender Studies, Crowell also has an extensive record of community service.  She directed girl’s soccer camps in Bosnia, and raised funds for the trips by leading training sessions for young girls. She has also volunteered at the Holyoke Soldiers home, and threw a benefit dinner for the MADRE organization that demands human rights for women and families around the world.

Sarah Harper was honored as a women’s squash player in the winter, though her athletic ability extends to the golf course, where she is the team captain.  Harper doubles up in the classroom as well, as History and Spanish double major.  This year, Harper created and coordinated a student-athlete community service project to collect food left over food from athletes’ away games for donation to the local survival center.  In addition, Harper is designing a community action group of student-athletes that will serve the local community.

The athlete chosen for the spring season was Annalise Rodli, co-captain of the women’s softball team and an Anthropology major.  She has served the Amherst community as a volunteer mentor for high school students through the ABC Tutoring program and as a member of the Amherst College 3-D program that creates a fun and safe environment for mentally challenged young adults.  In addition, Rodli is the Co-Founder and President of Project Survival, a non-partisan student group that fundraises for and ships letters and supplies to U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians.

Additionally, three-season athlete Shauneen Garrahan earned the National Student-Athlete Day award.  Garrahan is a captain of both the women’s cross country and track and field teams.  Garrahan’s other activities and leadership positions include Chair of the Amherst College Republicans, President of the Amherst College Newman Club, a Catholic Student Organization, and Publicity Co-chair of Students for the American Founding.  She also volunteers her time as an AmericaReads tutor, a religious education instructor and a member of the Amherst College 3-D.