Final 18 today at Alister MacKenzie https://t.co/rzRPWs0DlY ... also was great to volunteer at @StMarysFoodBank recently. First-class organization with some @ASU_Alumni behind the efforts. #SunDevilsServe @SunDevil_OSAD pic.twitter.com/SKnGIMxez6
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) October 9, 2018
We were excited to host over 700 kids this past Saturday at our Youth Football & Cheer Clinic! pic.twitter.com/FbC9ftsSxh
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) July 30, 2019
The squad had a blast yesterday at @SAAswim! #SunDevilsServe pic.twitter.com/KouFhzJtqA
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) August 29, 2019
Today we had the @942Crew sprucing up our campus to prepare for the thousands who use our services every day. THANK YOU so MUCH for all you helped us accomplish today! @942Crew ROCKS! pic.twitter.com/pwVi15MxLp
— CatholicCharitiesLV (@CathCharitiesLV) March 6, 2019
'Sun Devils Serve' is a program that provides student-athletes and staff with a coordinated pathway to connect with the community with the goal of shaping and affecting lives in a positive manner. For the seventh consecutive year, Sun Devils Serve, overseen by Associate Athletic Director Bill Kennedy, set records for projects, community members served and hours served. After serving a total of 7,569.50 hours in 2017-18, Sun Devil Athletics raised the standard even higher in with an all-time high of 7,596.75 hours. Over that stretch, SDA combined for 144 service projects (up from 143 last year) to serve 301,355 community members (second time going over 300,000 after doing it for the first time in 2018).
Always great to give back to the community! #SunDevilsServe pic.twitter.com/cSaJY9ULrl
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) January 5, 2019
"Once again we are very proud of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, Sun Devil Marching Band, Spirit Squad and the 942 Crew Executive Board for their record breaking commitment to serve our community," Kennedy said. "The principal of Sun Devils Serve is one of the core tenants of our department and we are very humbled to be able to give back to the community that supports us so wonderfully."
#SunDevils4Life ?? pic.twitter.com/kbBCauwEoP
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) February 27, 2019
Kennedy said the outstanding participation by all Sun Devils – student-athletes, staff, band, spirit squad, 942 Crew – in the community and the department's willingness to travel to nearby states to perform service projects are both a reflection of the importance ASU vice president for university athletics Ray Anderson places on giving back.
"Our efforts and continued growth in this area are a direct reflection of the leadership of Ray Anderson and his emphasis of service to those in our community. His support of this program allows us to reach out to not only communities in the Phoenix and Tempe Metro areas, but also to those in other parts of Arizona and surrounding states. In particular we proud of our continued partnerships and programs that we do with our Native American communities. Ultimately our goals in this area are to provide meaningful service to members of our community and instill a sense of service in those that participate that will hopefully last a lifetime."
Last November the Sun Devil women's basketball program partnered with ASU's Office of American Indian Initiatives and the Navajo Nation to host #ShowdownOnTheRez in Fort Defiance, Ariz. The centerpiece of the groundbreaking event was the Sun Devils' contest against No. 4 Baylor. The game, which was held on Veterans Day and televised nationally by ESPN2,served as a celebration of Native American Heritage Month in addition to providing a platform to recognize and honor Native Americans who served in the armed forces.
Thank you to the Navajo Nation for hosting us and allowing us to take part in a very special pregame ceremony!#ShowdownOnTheRez pic.twitter.com/imONf2muug
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) November 12, 2018
An incredible game in an incredible atmosphere.
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) November 12, 2018
Not the result we wanted, but this team is just getting started. Great things to come. #ShowdownOnTheRez pic.twitter.com/bEywpqvS42
Sun Devil Women's Basketball was not the only program reaching out in communities outside the state. Sun Devil Soccer was making a difference internationally during a week-long trip to Mexico over the summer.
For the Kids ??#YouthCamp#ForksUp | ????x ????pic.twitter.com/fttqiFVdSC
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) June 25, 2019
On another side of the world, Sun Devil hockey redshirt freshman Peter Zhong giving knowledge while helping the great Alex Ovechkin coach a clinic during the Sun Devil hockey team's visit to China in August.
.@PeterWeiz helped @Ovi8 coach a clinic in China ??
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) August 5, 2019
??: @Capitals??pic.twitter.com/d9sv0UKNk1
All those affiliated with Sun Devil Athletics realize the platform they have is a special one. This is especially true for the student-athletes who often have a larger-than-life presence that enables them to lift and inspire others.
We are so excited to welcome Alexis to the #SunDevilFamily, and are even more excited to have her in the dugout with us tonight! Get to know our newest Sun Devil right here ??pic.twitter.com/ezoCzf94TW
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 22, 2019
Today was a special day in the Sun Devil family. It was the end of treatment day for our teammate Alexis! We now get to celebrate that our girl is cancer free!! ??And yes she learned a thing or two from practice when she hit the gong! pic.twitter.com/5f3t8ue0RX
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) July 23, 2019
Leighton is officially a Sun Devil! The bravest & strongest girl we know, and we're here with you in your fight! #Playin4Leighton #LeightonStrong??pic.twitter.com/pwc8IQv2yY
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) June 8, 2019
We are excited to welcome Brennan to the @942Crew tonight!
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) October 5, 2018
>> https://t.co/IU6Ln4WMLY pic.twitter.com/ZpoYa3ucFJ
That same platform give Sun Devils the opportunity to shine a light on important causes. Months before the 2019 season even began, the Arizona State gymnastics team began interacting with people who have cystic fibrosis. Those opportunities and the spirit of a young gymnast led to planning the cystic fibrosis awareness meet.
With our cystic fibrosis awareness meet TOMORROW, read about how the #GymDevils got involved with the CF community and how it has inspired them!
— Sun Devil Gymnastics (@SunDevilGym) January 25, 2019
>> https://t.co/mfcHRIpfye pic.twitter.com/pOn06JzxcS
This weekend, @SunDevilVB welcomed a very special guest coach, Allie, as part of their Pediatric Cancer Awareness Weekend. pic.twitter.com/juUmHx6SMj
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) September 19, 2018
Thank you to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Youth Ambassadors of the Phoenix Chapter and their families for coming out to support Sun Devil Lacrosse and midfielder Maura Cissel, who has Type One Diabetes @PBlueNovember pic.twitter.com/3mwIb5sUzT
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) October 29, 2018
#SunDevilsServe community events that have come to be annual staples of the program include the Sun Devil Caravan, the Healing Field Tribute in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 and Fantasy Flight.
The Sun Devil Caravan once again made its way around the Valley, bringing Sun Devil spirit to Litchfield Park and Downtown Phoenix. It also made trips to Los Angeles/Quechan Nation and Yuma and San Diego. Every Sun Devil Caravan stop includes a presentation of Sparky's Tour – an assembly in which student-athletes, staff, band and 942Crew teach children the value of personal character and healthy living – and a community service project.
The Sun Devil Caravan headed west this week where they volunteered at the Yuma Community Food Bank and visited elementary school students in San Diego.#SunDevilsServe pic.twitter.com/jKa8oYCjwx
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 22, 2019
Members of several Sun Devil teams came together last December to help local kids journey to the 'North Pole' as a part of Fantasy Flight.
Sun Devil student-athletes took part in providing a special trip to the North Pole for local kids this morning. ??????pic.twitter.com/7WeAcWnhPG
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) December 7, 2018
As has been the case in years past, the participation of SDA staff, band, spirit squad and 942 Crew has been instrumental in helping SDA continue to raise the number of individuals it impacts each year.
We had a great time partnering with @asu_oaii @ASUFootball @AZCardinals and @ASUSpiritSquad putting on the second annual Native American Youth Football and Cheer Camp this morning! pic.twitter.com/zOVInmu9O5
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) April 6, 2019
In addition to Fantasy Flight and the Sun Devil Caravan, there are several other events throughout the year that inspire Sun Devil student-athletes to get involved in the community. Among them are the Healing Field Tribute in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and Pat's Run, the annual 4.2-mile race held every April in honor of former Sun Devil football player Pat Tillman.
So proud of our Sun Devils serving! #PatsRun pic.twitter.com/EzKxNK7lke
— Charli Turner Thorne (@ASUCoachCharli) April 27, 2019
The Exec Board is proud to be a part of the Sun Devil Athletics Family serving our community at the Tempe Healing Fields this morning. @TheSunDevils @sundevilmgolf @SunDevilWLax @SunDevilGym pic.twitter.com/XbYiz9YVUT
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) September 8, 2018
Thrilled to have had a small part Saturday with @Tempegov for this amazing display for 9/11 #SunDevilsServe pic.twitter.com/OtzZuoonW6
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) September 11, 2018
Because ASU student-athletes are #SunDevils4Life, you know can always count on a Sun Devil trying to make a difference even after they have moved on from ASU!
Congratulations and great work to @BriannJanuary for receiving the @WNBA Cares Community Assist Award! The Sun Devil Way! ??
— Charli Turner Thorne (@ASUCoachCharli) June 27, 2019