Colonials in the Community

The Robert Morris Department of Athletics continues to be an active member of the community, both on a local and regional level. A number of initiatives took place in 2019-20, highlighted by Building Bridges Through Basketball, held at the UPMC Events Center Jan. 20, 2020.

On the next three pages, you will find highlights of some of the initiatives that RMU participated during the 2019-20 academic year, as well as statistics from the department’s community service involvement.

BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH BASKETBALL In tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first National Day of Service, created to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., student-athletes at RMU hosted the first “Building Bridges Through Basketball” event Jan. 20, 2020. Student-athletes from each varsity sports program invited children and their families from surrounding communities to participate in a sports mini clinic (football, volleyball, lacrosse, softball and rowing), face painting, a pompom craft, fan poster making, a coloring station, poster autograph signings, balloon animals, free popcorn and a special cheering section for young fans and their families. Student-athlete buddies then joined guests to cheer on the Colonials during the men’s basketball game against Sacred Heart.

DATING & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS NIGHT The RMU volleyball team hosted “Dating & Domestic Violence Awareness Night” Oct. 11, 2019 in its match against Fairleigh Dickinson. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), RMU raised awareness through the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence’s (NRDV) #1Thing campaign, which unites our individual voices while highlighting the power of collective action. The Colonials wore t-shirts during warm-ups that featured the caption “Action + Awareness = Social Change”, raffled off baskets from various generous donors, and collected donations through a toiletry drive with all items being donated to the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

COLONIALS IN THE COMMUNITY

14TH ANNUAL COLONIAL CLASSIC HOPE FOR THE CURE The RMU women’s lacrosse team hosted its 14th annual “Colonial Classic Hope for the Cure” 7-on-7 tournament on the weekend of Oct. 19-20, 2019 for youth, middle school, high school and club teams. The tournament served as a fundraising and awareness opportunity for those affected by Huntingdon’s Disease, and raised money for two significant charities in the area: The Huntingdon’s Disease Society (Western Pa. chapter) and Glimmer of Hope.

CAREER & EDUCATION DAY The RMU women’s basketball team hosted “Career & Education Day” Nov. 27, 2019 in its game against Pitt-Johnstown. RMU invited local elementary, middle, and high school students to the UPMC Events Center for an academically focused field trip that provided them the chance to visit a college campus. Representatives from RMU academic departments involved students in learning and interactive displays, and all students, teachers, parents, and more were admitted free for that morning’s game.

FOURTH ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR TOSS The RMU women’s hockey team hosted its fourth annual “Teddy Bear Toss” Dec. 6, 2019 in its game against Mercyhurst. Fans were encouraged to bring a new stuffed toy with the tags still attached, and when Michaela Boyle scored a power play goal in the first period, the fans threw their toys onto the ice. All the items collected were donated directly to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The promotion is entirely organized and executed by student-athletes.

COLONIALS IN THE COMMUNITY

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER WEEKEND The RMU men’s hockey team hosted “Hockey Fights Cancer” on the weekend of Dec. 14-15, 2019 in its games against Army West Point, becoming the first NCAA hockey program to partner with the American Cancer Society for such an event. The team, which has been affected by cancer in particular with alumni Chris Kushneriuk ‘11 and Nick Chiavetta ‘12 have battled the disease and former associate head coach Mark Workman passing away from the disease in February 2018, wore lavender speciality Hockey Fights Cancerbranded jerseys over the weekend and those game-worn items were available to fans via a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Fans also filled out lavender ‘I Fight For’ placards that were displayed at a media timeout.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEKEND The RMU women’s hockey team hosted “Mental Health Awareness Night” on the weekend of Jan. 17-18, 2020 in its games against Syracuse. In partnership with Never Give Up Radio and Hope Happens Here, the team raised money and awareness to end the stigma surrounding mental health and wore speciality green and purple jerseys. Student-athletes participated in a social media campaign spreading facts about mental health, and the team hosted a mental health discussion panel in Yorktown Hall that included former Pittsburgh Penguins player Tyler Kennedy on the night before the two-game series.

YOU CAN PLAY WEEKEND Both the RMU men’s and women’s hockey teams hosted “You Can Play Weekend” on Jan. 24-25, 2020 during their respective games against American International and Lindenwood. The teams partnered with both the Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) and the You Can Play Team, and its mission to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.