Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Student-Athletes Standout in Community, Too
Dec. 10, 2003
It's been well documented that Central Michigan University's student-athletes have been successful on the field of competition and in the classroom.
Afterall, Chippewa athletic teams won six Mid-American Conference championships during the 2002-03 school year and did it while carrying a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.12 (best in the MAC) for nearly 400 student-athletes.
But, did you know that these same student-athletes have become outstanding role models in the community?
It's hard to believe that they find the time after classes, studying, and their responsibilities with the team ... there are only so many hours in the day.
Yet, CMU student-athletes are involved in many community-related activites like Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Adopt-A-Family, Slammin' at the Library, and being pen pals with a local grade school.
Much of it is a part of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program in the CMU athletics department.
"We're looking to develop a well-rounded person by the time he or she graduates," said CHAMPS/Like Skills coordinator Tera Albrecht.
CMU received the Division 1A Athletic Directors Association's CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award in 2000-01 -- one of only 24 schools ever to receive the award.
"We place a lot of importance in this program and are proud of what's been accomplished," said CMU Director of Athletics Herb Deromedi. "It helps student-athletes realize the importance of giving back to the community.
"They've been given so much and it's a chance for the community to see them being involved outside of athletics. Hopefully, it's something that they'll continue to do long after graduation."
The program focuses on five areas: commitment to personal development; commitment to career development; commitment to academic excellence; commitment to athletic excellence; and commitment to community involvement.
It's the latter area that is becoming quite evident in the Mount Pleasant community.
More than 200 student-athletes took part in the food drive in October and collected 4,750 canned good items for the local food bank.
Before the Christmas holiday, CMU student-athletes will take part in the Adopt-A-Family program. They've adopted two families.
"I enjoy helping others," explained Grant Arnoldink, a reserve quarterback on the football team and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board. "I like being a positive role model for young players on our team and being somebody young people in the community can look up to."
Part of Arnoldink's charge was to "strong arm" teammates for money.
"I just go around and hit everybody for a buck or two," he said. "It all adds up."
Arnoldink most looks forward to buying the presents and then taking them to the families.
"I did it in 2002 and it was a great experience to give people something at Christmas that they might not otherwise have," he said.
Raina Harmon, a senior member of the Chippewa women's basketball team, is an member of SAAB and is in nearly every project that group gets involved with.
She takes part in Adopt-A-Family, the food drive, and serves as a pen pal.
"I just like to be involved," explained Harmon who is also a member of the Black Student Union and Organization of Black Unity. "I spend a lot of time with classes and basketball but I really like doing things with and for others."
As if all the things Harmon does is not enough, she served as a Big Sister for one and one-half years before he little sister moved out-of-state.
"I was an only child growing up and I didn't have a brother or a sister to talk with," she said. "When I got my little sister (13 years old), that changed. We hung out together all the time and talked a lot.
"We went to movies together and she rebounded for me in the gym when I wanted to get some extra shooting in. Now that she's moved, my phone bill will be a lot higher."
Other activities that CMU student-athletes are involved with include working in the local soup kitchen, taking part in a clothing drive each December for Christmas Outreach, Have A Heart (make baskets and deliver them at Valentine's Day for the elderly), and Be My Neighbor (help maintain the playscape at Island Park).
Jock Rock, where all of the teams put on a variety show, is a popular fund-raiser for charity each spring.
CMU athletics have also made great effort to work on the relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
"With us having the Native American nickname, our goal is to try and enhance relationships with the Tribe in a positive manner," said assistant athletics director Nick Williams. "It's important to CMU and it's important to the Tribe, and they want us to involved on a personal level with their youth.
"The whole thing has been well received by our student-athletes as well as the young members of the Tribe. We're hoping to begin a mentoring program in the near future, as well."
During the past year, on two different occasions, CMU student-athletes spoke to classrooms of students at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy (Monissory School on the Reservation) about their experiences with athletics, the importance of academics, and general life experiences.
In May of 2003, members of CMU's men's and women's basketball, wrestling, football and volleyball handed out awards at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's banquet recognizing Native American athletes involved with the Anishnaabe Athletic Youth Association. Tom Pantlind from the men's basketball program was the keynote speaker.
While CMU student-athletes have made many appearances on the Reservation, it's been a two-way street.
Four Native American youth football players served as runners at a football game in November, racing on the field after each CMU kickoff to get the tee.
This past fall, Joe Sowmick (Saginaw Chippewa Indiana Tribe) and Renee Dillard (Ottawa Indian Tribe) spoke to an assembly of nearly all of CMU's student-athletes.
"It was a great program," Williams said. "They gave a little history of the Tribe, and how we should treat the Chippewa name with pride. It was very meaningful for our student-athletes."