The women's softball games versus UM-Dearborn on Saturday, April 19, honored the memory of former Saint great, Christy Jaklinski-Paganelli. The day reunited the 1994 Aquinas softball family and helped raise awareness against melanoma cancer. Christy lost her battle with the disease on March 9th, 2011, but through this weekends events Christy's family and friends rallied behind her cause. Donations can be made to the Aquinas College Christy Jaklinski-Paganelli Scholarship Fund or the VanAndel Institute for Melanoma Research. “Christy was a leader in the truest sense of the word as well as an outstanding teammate. The commitment of her teammates at Aquinas to remember her as one of the people who makes the world great to live in, is the ultimate tribute one can earn. I am ecstatic that her name will forever be linked with Aquinas softball through this memorial game and scholarship for a current Saint softball student-athlete. I am looking forward to her induction into the Aquinas Athletic Hall of Fame in September, 2012, along with her batterymate, Jodi Borowicz.” comments Athletic Director Terry Bocian.

Recently, Aquinas College received the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Champions of Character Five Star Institution Award. The Champions of Character “is a nonprofit organization with the mission to change the culture of sport.” This organization, in order to encourage the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership, has developed a scorecard that measures an institution’s commitment to character in an additional five areas. Colleges who wish to be considered for the award are evaluated in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Each of these areas is awarded points based on varying degrees of importance. Out of a possible 100-point score, any institution that receives 60 points or more becomes one of the Five Star Champions of Character Institutions. 2011 marked the tenth consecutive year the Saints were recognized with this distinction.

The Aquinas College women's soccer team spent an enjoyable evening on
December 7th providing holiday cheer to the veterans at the Grand Rapids
Veterans home. Fun was had by all and there were plenty of smiles in
the room. This is a project that the team has done in the past to
show their appreciation and respect for those who gave so much for our
freedom that we enjoy today.

The men's baseball team spent some quality time at our neighbor's, St. Thomas The Apostle Elementary School, reading to various classes and emphasizing the importance of reading and education. Members of the team found it to be a very rewarding experience as they were able to spread knowledge and excitement to a great group of kids. Spreading the message about the power of reading was a fun filled day that everyone enjoyed.

The Aquinas College men's basketball team recently participated in the "March is Reading Month" program. Members of the squad visited Northview Elementary and read stories to the students of former Saint, Jeff Wierzbicki. The players agreed that sharing time with the students was both enriching and memorable. Mr. Wierzbicki's class thought it was "pretty cool" to get up close and personal with real college basketball players and of course they all loved the books which were read.

The Aquinas College women's basketball participated in the "PINK ZONE" program with all proceeds ($1000) going to the Kay Yow Fund for breast cancer research program. This is a national program sponsored by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).      

The festivities kicked off with a women's alumni basketball game. Former players in the program received the opportunity to showcase their skills on "Coach Bo Court" in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center.

The current Saints then took on Concordia University in their last home game of the season.  Plenty of prizes and activities went on throughout the afternoon. Prizes included Aquinas sports apparel and a pink Ipod shuffle. At half-time of the women's game, there was a recognition and prayer for all those who have been touched by cancer.