On Saturday March 21, 2009 the Regis Student Athletic Advisory
Committee (SAAC) hosted its annual National Student Athlete Day on
campus. The official national holiday occurs on April 16, but with
the beautiful Colorado weather Regis was privileged to host it
early. Six main sports participated in this event: Lacrosse,
Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Basketball, and Volleyball. Regis
student-athletes and kids (K-8th grade) all worked together to
create a fun-filled day to celebrate athletics.
National Student Athlete Day at Regis started bright and early at
8:30 with kids signing up according to age group. A speedy game of
freeze tag was the warm up event to get the kids loosened up and
excited for the day. Regis athletes could be seen chasing or being
chased by the energetic elementary and middle school students. Once
freeze tag finished up the kids split into their age groups to
start the circuit of sport stations.
Lacrosse had a station filled with exciting, competitive team
relays that kept kids laughing and entertained throughout the
day.
The women’s lacrosse team seemed to enjoy the company of the
kids just as much as the kids loved the station! An array of
dribbling and shooting drills could be seen at the combined men and
women’s soccer station. Smaller goals and cones scattered the
field for the kids to play mock soccer games. The golf station
featured a full swing area, chipping area, as well as kid-sized
clubs to accommodate the participants!
Cross Country challenged the kids to running races but by the end
of the day, it was the Regis athletes were winded! Lay-ups,
dribbling drills, and passing points consumed the time for the men
and women’s basketball teams on the outdoor court. Smiles
could be seen on every face while the members of men’s team
hoisted kids up to slam the ball through the hoop in a successful
DUNK! Volleyball kept the little ones busy with passing and bumping
on a field near by.
After every age group attended each station, lunch was served!
Coaches, athletes, and athletic department staff all lent a hand
in the delicious barbeque. Hot dogs and chips were served just in
time to allow participants to settle in on the bleachers to watch
Regis men’s baseball team play rival Mesa State. Prior to the
first pitch Dr. Duggan, who retired this year after his many years
at Regis serving as a professor and the faculty representative for
SAAC, lead the student athletes and community participants around
the baseball field for the Parade of Champions.
With the stands filled with fellow student-athletes, parents, and
young future-athlete-hopefuls, the Regis baseball team put up a
tough fight but eventually fell to Mesa State 6-2. Overall the day
bridged ages and showed that both young and old share the same
passion and enjoyment for sports!
Thank you all for attending, we look forward to next year!
-SAAC
