In the case of Sun Devil student-athletes and staff, in addition to the opportunity to win championships in competitions, also lost was their ability to maintain a consistent presence in the community, a staple and incredible source of pride for the department. In fact, in 2018-19 Sun Devil Athletics broke their record for the number of hours they were active in the community for the seventh-straight year. Although the pandemic prevented the streak from being extended to eight years, it did not limit or deter the spirit of Sun Devil student-athletes and staff in wanting to make a difference.
"As it did with everything else in our lives, COVID-19 greatly disrupted our day-to day community service efforts of Sun Devils Serve," said Associate Athletic Director Bill Kennedy, who oversees the #SunDevilsServe program. "While it might not have been in the same quantity, we were still able to serve our community with quality community service projects.
"We found that the pandemic really brought out the resolve of our student-athletes, staff, 942 Crew and Band to give back to our community during these times. Examples were our partnership with St. Mary's Food Bank to distribute food to families at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium parking lot and at their offices in Phoenix and our partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union and Vitalant to host a blood drive in Desert Financial Arena."
We were proud to help @StMarysFoodBank distribute food to our community! pic.twitter.com/CFxs3uBaMz
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 1, 2020
We spent the morning loading up food for @StMarysFoodBank. We love to give back to our community! pic.twitter.com/lOPbLaACdW
— 942 Crew (@942Crew) June 4, 2020
Grateful to have an opportunity to help our community! #sundevilsserve https://t.co/AeKf8rB8AQ
— Missy Kaye (@missymkaye) May 3, 2020
Our community blood drive with @DesertFinancial and @VitalantAZ is officially underway!
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 31, 2020
Head over to Desert Financial Arena from now until 2 PM to participate. pic.twitter.com/o6HSCBIaYv
Prior to the pandemic, there were several highlights of Sun Devils shining in the community, both in and out of the state of Arizona!
#SunDevilsServe ?? pic.twitter.com/OF05CRVe9A
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) January 15, 2020
Saturday's meet is a special one for us. Along with our friend Aria, we are helping to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. ????#GymDevils pic.twitter.com/TF5Yrrs1jm
— Sun Devil Gymnastics (@SunDevilGym) January 9, 2020
Starting 2020 by giving back to the community that gives us so much! Thank you to @StMarysFoodBank for letting us help out today! pic.twitter.com/gHOXfRBk96
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) January 4, 2020
We had a great time visiting @ElPasoChildrens today!
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 31, 2019
??: @TonyTheTiger_SB pic.twitter.com/5Y75dTpxa0
Head over to @ASU Finals Breakfast at Tooker House Dining Hall! #SunDevilWBB serving Sun Devils! ?????? pic.twitter.com/77Ctj7H578
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) December 5, 2019
Yesterday, both Sun Devil Tennis teams had the privilege of hosting "PASS for Kids" and Phoenix Police's "Wake Up!". Two organizations that enrich the lives of children in the community. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/C1bZkhX6gp
— Sun Devil M. Tennis (@SunDevilMTennis) November 25, 2019
View this post on InstagramWay to go women!! @sundevilswimdive #SunDevilsServe
A post shared by coach_bowman (@coach_bowman) on
Our @SunDevilWBB team at Tempe Healing Fields this morning ???? #SunDevilsServe pic.twitter.com/V7VZKrQNNA
— Charli Turner Thorne (@ASUCoachCharli) September 7, 2019
Sun Devil Day with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (Aug. 28, 2019)
Although the times dictate that we maintain a state of physical distancing, Sun Devils have already started findings ways to impact the community less than a month into the 2020-21 academic year.
Hometown Hero ????
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) September 14, 2020
In partnership with ASU Watts College, Zylan Cheatham is using his platform to support underprivileged youth in South Phoenix and the surrounding community.@1KingZ4 // #SunDevilsForChange
pic.twitter.com/TbNSMoRrF3
We're excited to partner with Washington Elementary School District for #NationalReadABookDay on Sunday!https://t.co/IJW9cxDatn
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) September 3, 2020
#SunDevilsServe ????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) September 26, 2020
Shoutout to Maura Cissel and Haley Gorke from @SunDevilWLax for volunteering at the Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Walk this morning ??
They were joined by Samantha Plaster and Cierra Flood from @SunDevilBeachVB ?????? pic.twitter.com/9SX9zJClhW
Added Kennedy, "Through Ray Anderson's leadership we continue to make serving our community a key pillar of our department and we are very enthusiastic about finding innovative and creative ways to do just that in this academic year."