For Immediate Release

June 8, 2011

Reporting provided by the UMass Lowell Sports Information Department

Providence, R.I. - The University of Massachusetts Lowell, through the efforts of its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, received recognition by the Northeast-10 Conference for leading the NE-10 in money raised towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The honor marked the fourth consecutive year UMass Lowell led all NE-10 institutions in fundraising efforts. The award was accepted by junior Amy Delgado, the chair-elect of UMass Lowell's SAAC for the 2011-12 year.

UMass Lowell raised $7,100 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by way of two major fundraising projects - the Kids Zone Activities center and Bowling for Wishes - during the 2010-11 year.

"The SAAC has really taken this on as an annual project," said Joan Lehoullier, senior associate director of athletics who oversees the SAAC and the department's community service projects.

"The fundraising efforts have really become competitive, not only among the schools in the NE-10, but the teams here at UMass Lowell. They want to maintain the ability to fund at least one wish for a child. That has become the bar."

The $7,100 amount is turned over to the NCAA, where it is dispersed into the national Make-A-Wish effort.

The Kids Zone Activities Center, stationed in the Tsongas Center lobby during UMass Lowell hockey games, raised $1,200 while the third Annual Bowling for Wishes generated more than $5,900.

The field hockey team led all River Hawk teams by raising $635 at the Bowling for Wishes event.

Last year UMass Lowell raised more than $11,300 and finished behind only Dowling College for highest amount among Division II schools. The national ranking is expected to be released later this month.