Oakland raised over 11,000 pounds of food to capture the 2010-11 Summit League Food title
Oakland Athletics' mission is to produce graduates and champions. But being a champion requires more than having the skills and mental toughness to help raise a banner. To become a champion, you must be a leader in the community, help those less fortunate and better yourself. We try and instill this in our student-athletes so that upon graduation, they will have the knowledge and experience to make a positive impact on the world.
That’s why at Oakland, student-athletes completed more than 1,500 hours of community service during the 2010-11 school year, as well as participating in various life skills workshops. By donating their time and reaching out to others, Golden Grizzlies will leave Oakland with the attributes of a true champion, both on and off the playing field.
Community Service
Coaches vs. Cancer – As part of a nation-wide effort to support cancer research, members of the men’s and women’s basketball coaching staffs served as guest-grillers at bd’s Mongolian Barbeque, where all tips were donated to charity. Oakland raised over $1200 for the night.
In addition, several Oakland teams designated a game to support fund raising for Breast Cancer Research. The women's teams played a Pink Zone game and raised over $2,000 towards the cause.
OU Reading Program – Student-Athletes of all sports took part in the OU Reading Program, where they spent time reading to elementary school children at Auburn Hills Public Library and University Hills and North Hill elementary schools.
Friends of Jaclyn Foundation – The softball team adopted the late Jenna Kast who lost her battle with pediatric brain tumors on July 4, 2010. During the time spent with the Kast family from January to July, the softball team made periodic visits to Jenna’s house, exchanged text messages and e-mails.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Day – Many of the athletic department staff members, along with student-athletes dedicated a lunch hour to make more than 1,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to donate to Forgotten Harvest.
Habitat for Humanity – The women’s volleyball team volunteered to help build homes for those less fortunate in Pontiac, Mich.
The Lighthouse of Oakland County – In a department-wide effort, the Golden Grizzlies adopted five Oakland County families and sponsored a coin drive for the Lighthouse of Oakland County. Necessities were purchased for these less than fortunate families, including clothes, food, supplies and even toys for their children.
The Fourth Annual OU Swimming and Diving Mitten Toss took place at halftime of OU Men’s Basketball vs. IUPUI on Thursday, January 6. Fans participated by throwing slightly used or new gloves or mittens on the Golden Grizzlies Court at halftime. All donations went to benefit the Lighthouse of Oakland County.
The Summit League Food Fight – As part of the 2011 Summit League Food Fight, the athletic department raised $4,124 in cash and 459.5 pounds of canned food, in which Oakland's 18 varsity teams competed against each other to see who could donate the most money/food over the course of two weeks. All food and money donations were given to the Lighthouse of Oakland County which services the entire county of Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies won The Summit League Food Fight competition for the second time in three years.
Other community service programs
- Jack's Place for Autism
- OU Cares
- Brooksie Way Half Marathon
- Detroit Marathon
- March of Dimes
- Clarkston Early Childhood Center
- Michigan Technical Academy
- Judson Center
- Special Olympics
Life Skills Workshops
- Career Exploration with the Advising Resource Center
- Social Media Training/Branding Yourself with Don Yaeger
- Financial Literacy Program with MSU Credit Union
- Career Athletes Program (job board, interview skills, resume’ writing)
- Business Etiquette Dinner
- Life After College Athletics with Jack Hollis, VP of Scion
- Harnessing the Power of Healthy Relationships with Justin Jones-Fosu
- Eating to Win: Inside the Lines and Out with Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, LDN, CSSD
- Academic Skills Center Workshops including: Textbook Reading Strategies, Learning Styles and Study Strategies and Ace My Tests
- The Female Triad with Betty Chu, MD
Oakland Athletics Academic Services
The Academic Services staff has been created to enhance student-athletes’ development by providing the necessary support, counseling and resources to achieve academic, personal and athletic growth. Services provided include:
- Academic Progress Meetings/Mid-term Progress Reports
- Advising and Registration Assistance
- Tutorial Assistance
- CHAMPS/Life-skills Workshops
- Referrals
- Structured Study Hours in the Academic Center
Each student athlete signs a Buckley Amendment Release authorizing the Athletic Department to have access to their academic information. This allows the Academic Services Staff to receive mid-term grades and progress reports from faculty members. Each student is then tracked to ensure eligibility and academic progress.
Members of the Academic Services Staff discuss study skills, test-taking strategies, time management and/or goal setting with each student-athlete. Tutorial assistance is available free of charge for all student-athletes regardless of their current academic standing. Academic Services is seen as a liaison for many different departments. Any student needing additional assistance may be referred to the appropriate campus office, such as Disability Support Services, Student Health Center, Career Center, Counseling Center and Sports Medicine.