SUNY Brockport Athletics continued its annual tradition of community support by coming together for the eighth consecutive year to raise money and purchase gifts for Barclay Elementary School in the Brockport Central School District this holiday season.

Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, John Jackson, teamed up with Assistant Athletic Director Justin Beach and Brockport's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to lead the effort. This year, the Golden Eagles raised nearly $3,000 in monetary donations, gifts, and gift cards. Over the past eight years, Brockport Athletics has contributed more than $23,000 to this specific program.

"Being able to take part in the holiday drive is an honor for SAAC," said SAAC Vice President Alexis Sison. "It gives us the chance to give back to the community that supports us helps make the holidays a little brighter for others. It also brings us together to remind us we're part of something bigger than ourselves.

Tara Jackson, a third-grade teacher at Barclay Elementary, serves as the liaison for the school's holiday fund. The fund allows individuals to sponsor families during the holidays or donate toward the broader cause. When the Golden Eagles were once again invited to participate, they responded enthusiastically.

SAAC has supported the holiday fund for many years, and this season they organized team leaders to help collect funds and shop for gifts. 13 athletic teams as well as the graduate athletic training program and staff participated, purchasing gifts for 22 children in need at Barclay Elementary.

"Our student-athletes are an amazing group of young of adults, I couldn't be prouder of them," said John Jackson.  "I want to thank the SAAC group for all their work on this holiday fundraiser and all they do for our community. I think it's so important to give back to your community and hopefully our Golden Eagles will continue giving back when they graduate from Brockport."



Student-athletes and staff who attended included: Alexis Sison (women's volleyball), Trelani Harper (women's flag football), Victoria Slye-Butz (women's flag football), Kat Althouse (women's flag football), James Simoncelli (baseball), Lucy Crounse (women's soccer), Lyndsey Miller (women's soccer), Olivia Magin (women's lacrosse), Amelia Breton (women's soccer), Maeve Kelleher (women's lacrosse), Assistant Athletic Director John Jackson, Assistant Athletic Director Justin Beach, Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Sara Kelly and Associate Athletic Director Gil Burgmaster.

The Golden Eagles remain committed to maintaining a strong partnership with local schools and continuing to support members of the Brockport community who need it most.