One day. One goal. One Alfred.

Today (11/18) is Alfred State's 5th annual Day of Giving. The college has a goal of raising $200,000 to help fund scholarships, technology, athletics, and new program development.

2020 has been difficult for most athletic departments across the country. The cancelation of seasons, modified practice opportunities, and limited strength and conditioning have been the norm for the past eight months. 

As you consider participating in the 2020 Day of Giving here are a few things I wanted to share with you.

• Student-Athletes at Alfred State and most of the NCAA DIII level have not been given the opportunity to compete since the middle of March. Student-athletes have continued to succeed in the classroom and they continue to train/practice within the limits that have been set up. Teams at Alfred State have practiced for no longer than an hour all semester and have trained outdoors (with the exception of swimming & diving).
• The athletic department budget is based on student fee and over the past two semesters the fee has been cut making the department operate with half of the expected income. The cost of returning to action in January will be higher as the NCAA has testing requirements that we will have to meet to allow for a safe return to the courts, fields, pool, etc.
• Even with the circumstances, our department continues to strive to be life changers. Teams have donated time to clean-up the community, raise money for the Allegany County Cancer Services organization through a virtual Pink Pride event, learned mental health techniques with a partnership with Wicked Psyched, attended a seminar about dismantling racism by Newton Consultancy Group, and led the pack in the AMCC Mental Health 5k with the most participants.

In my twenty years at Alfred State, I have seen the power of this school and the athletic department. I have seen the lasting impact that the education and the friendships have had on those that have worn the Pioneer blue & gold. Since the start of the pandemic I have been reminded of this power of Alfred State multiple times:

• Former baseball player and Alfred State athletic department Hall of Famer Joe Greany was part of the World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Greany, who is the assistant strength coach with the Rays, came to Alfred State to play baseball and along his path with the help of his coaches and teammates found his passion for strength and conditioning. He has now been part of two organizations that have played in the World Series (was part of the Kansas City Royals when they won the World Series in 2015).
• Former swimmer Burt Zweigenhaft returned to campus on what would have been Homecoming weekend in October. Zweigenhaft, who was honored with an honorary doctorate degree from the college, was part of the 1971 NJCAA National Championship swimming & diving team at Alfred State. He spent the weekend on campus reminiscing about swim meets, classes, and other activities around campus. Since his time at Alfred State, he has become a key industry thought leader and an accomplished executive in the specialty-biotech pharmaceutical and oncology care ecosystems. Additionally, he has worked with Swim Across America for decades to help raise millions in the fight against cancer. 
• Early in the pandemic I wrote a story about Pioneer alum working on the front line of the fight against COVID. The responses I received to my questions showed the importance of their education roots that they got from Alfred State. I highlighted four former student-athletes in the piece but I know there are countless Pioneers that have been and continue to be on the front line. Read the full story

So TODAY/TOMORROW we ask you to participate in #ASCDay2Give. Please visit our Day of Giving page - Where you can read more about some of the athletic department needs.  

Proud to be a Pioneer and thankful for the support!

Paul Welker, Asst. Athletic Director/Sports Information Director