Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan Student-Athletes Make Impact in Mount Pleasant Through Community Service
1/9/2026 8:00:00 AM | General, Our Stories, Student-Athlete Leadership & Development
CMU Athletics donates 2,000 pounds of food and 4,400 items in its fourth annual Fired Up Canned Food Drive; Chippewa student-athletes participate in 2,196 community service hours this fall.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan student-athletes supported the Greater Mount Pleasant community in fall 2025 as the Chippewas participated in 2,196 community service hours and completed its fourth record-setting Fired Up Canned Food Drive.
In its fourth year of operation, this fall's Fired Up Canned Food Drive was the most successful yet as Central Michigan Athletics accumulated over 2,000 pounds of food and over 4,400 items which were all donated to the CMU Student Food Pantry. Both numbers represented school records. The CMU Athletics initiative, which continues to grow every year, has now turned into a conference-wide competition as the Chippewas competed with the Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan athletics departments. This fall Central Michigan Athletics partnered with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, CMU Student Activities and Involvement, and the CMU Police Department.
"All credit for this initiative goes to our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "They are the ones who produced the idea four years ago and have grown it into what we see today. This Fired Up Canned Food Drive is one of the most important and impactful initiatives we have within Student-Athlete Leadership & Development."
"No one should have to think about where and when they may have their next meal. If we can assist in any way of making sure this doesn't happen on this campus, it is our responsibility to step in and assist. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff participate every year."
All 17 Chippewa athletics teams were involved in the Mount Pleasant community and a large majority of student-athletes volunteered in some way. The top three highest performing Central Michigan teams this fall included the lacrosse, softball, and gymnastics programs. Top benefitting organizations included Community Church, Clothing Inc., PEAK After School Program, CARE Store, Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS).
If you have an organization that would like to participate in Central Michigan Athletics' community service program, please contact Travis Downing, Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Leadership and Development at Travis.J.Downing@cmich.edu.
In its fourth year of operation, this fall's Fired Up Canned Food Drive was the most successful yet as Central Michigan Athletics accumulated over 2,000 pounds of food and over 4,400 items which were all donated to the CMU Student Food Pantry. Both numbers represented school records. The CMU Athletics initiative, which continues to grow every year, has now turned into a conference-wide competition as the Chippewas competed with the Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan athletics departments. This fall Central Michigan Athletics partnered with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, CMU Student Activities and Involvement, and the CMU Police Department.
"All credit for this initiative goes to our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "They are the ones who produced the idea four years ago and have grown it into what we see today. This Fired Up Canned Food Drive is one of the most important and impactful initiatives we have within Student-Athlete Leadership & Development."
"No one should have to think about where and when they may have their next meal. If we can assist in any way of making sure this doesn't happen on this campus, it is our responsibility to step in and assist. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff participate every year."
All 17 Chippewa athletics teams were involved in the Mount Pleasant community and a large majority of student-athletes volunteered in some way. The top three highest performing Central Michigan teams this fall included the lacrosse, softball, and gymnastics programs. Top benefitting organizations included Community Church, Clothing Inc., PEAK After School Program, CARE Store, Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS).
If you have an organization that would like to participate in Central Michigan Athletics' community service program, please contact Travis Downing, Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Leadership and Development at Travis.J.Downing@cmich.edu.
—CMU—
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