NAIA Swimming Embodies the Season of Giving

By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – NAIA swimming is proud of the fact that it is always trying to improve the world around it. As the holiday season is upon us, now is the time to highlight a few of the charity activities and involvements in the division.

Olivet Nazarene had the drive this year to create their own charity. In the form of a combined men’s and women’s relay, the ambitious team swam the length of Lake Michigan. At the end of the relay Olivet Nazarene raised more than $18,000 for World Vision International. This money allows for the construction of wells in Africa and raises awareness of the lack of fresh water in third-world countries.

The Special Olympics is another huge opportunity for schools to take a break from swimming and give back to the sport. In October, the all-women’s school Brenau University came out in full force to lend a helping hand at the Georgia Special Olympics. The swimmers worked in a variety of jobs, and left with a deeper understanding of their sport and a pride that allowed them to tackle the rest of their season with new strength.

Lindsey Wilson College has participated in several charity events. The most prominent is the Hour of Power in honor of Carlton College swimmer Ted Mullin, who passed away from cancer in 2006. The continuous hour-long relay is in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer and those who have won.

Campbellsville University holds an annual Dance-a-Thon. Last year, the men’s and women’s teams raised a grand total of $3,100 in 12 hours for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation of cancer research. Nearly 100 students attended the dance, donating an average of $30 each. At the end of the non-stop dance, Campbellsville was able to say in the past six years they have raised more than $280,000 for St. Baldricks.

NAIA swim programs are constantly involved in charity events so other may profit from them. As we progress through the year, there is a lot more happening this season that will have positive impact all throughout the world.

Lileana Pearson is a freshman swimmer at Lindsey Wilson College at the NAIA level. She is currently a journalism major.

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