A big win: TU athletics makes sizable contributions to student emergency fund
Towson University athletic department gives back to campus community through the Student Emergency Fund, community service
By Kyle Hobstetter on July 29, 2020
When Towson University first announced the Student Emergency Grant Fund, many members of the TU community jumped at the chance to help its students.
Some of the first to donate were members of the Towson University athletic department. Seventy-five TU athletics staff members and donors contributed $68,662 to the Student Emergency and Food Insecurity Fund.
Director of Athletics Tim Leonard says that as soon as the Student Emergency Grant Fund was announced, his team wanted to help. While they directly support student-athletes, the athletic department is also committed to helping the campus community at large.
“We’re dedicated to young people and trying to help them get through college and get them prepared for life,” Leonard says. “Whether it's athletes or regular students, this is what we do. We’re committed to helping out young people that want to go to college and get a great education at Towson University. If they need some help, we’re going to chip in any way we can.”
The Student Emergency Grant Fund assists TU students who are experiencing an exceptional financial crisis that impedes their academic progress and success.
Towson University is currently focusing these grants on expenses related to novel coronavirus disruptions such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, relocating home and child care.
TU Student Affairs has awarded nearly 1,000 emergency grants to TU students, totaling more than $282,000 since April 1, with applications still being accepted for the upcoming fall term.
More than 1,500 donors contributed nearly $180,000 to the fund from July 2019 to June 2020—most given between April and June of this year. Additionally, the TU Foundation supported the fund with a reallocation of $100,000 for student emergencies.
More than 6,700 TU students have already received more than $7.6 million in grants from The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. An additional $1 million is set aside for students with needs in the current academic year.
Towson University football coach Rob Ambrose and men’s basketball coach Pat Skerry were two of the first on campus to donate to the Student Emergency Grant Fund.
According to Leonard, Ambrose donated the first day the website was up and running.
“Rob is a great example because he understands this is bigger than just his team,” Leonard says. “We have some really good coaches here who are engaged in the community. These things are bigger than sports, and I think our coaches understand that.
“Look at all the things we’ve done over the past several years, initiatives we get involved in. It’s not just for show; that’s because they believe in the greater good and do their part where they can.”
Towson University athletics has worked hard to make a name for itself in the community through its countless hours of service work locally.
Over the years, Towson University student-athletes have spent time visiting local schools and hospitals, assisting with the Senior and Special Olympic programs, cleaning up the community, participating in blood drives and charity runs such as the Susan G. Komen The Race for the Cure, collecting personal care items for those in need and assisting with university move-in days. These are just a few examples of community outreach activities sponsored by Tiger athletic teams in the past.
For seven consecutive years, Tiger student-athletes completed more than 10,000 hours of community service in the Baltimore area. The 2019–2020 season would have been eight, but because of the shortened school year, athletics couldn’t reach the goal. They finished with more than 7,500 hours.
This past year, Towson University athletics finished third in the National Teamworks Competition. Tiger student-athletes worked with 18 community organizations as well as eight campus partners for service, which accounted for more than 44% of the athletic department’s community service output.
“We have a chance to impact so many lives,” Leonard says. “A significant number of our student-athletes are great leaders on campus and great students in the classroom. They do a lot more than just play games. They add to the campus community, and that’s what were here to do.”
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.