Northern State University and United Way to Host 23rd Annual Day of Champions

The Day of Champions began in 2002 as a collaborative service initiative between Northern and the United Way. Since then, more than 3,400 NSU student-athletes have completed over 291 community projects, totaling more than 22,200 volunteer hours—a value of approximately $375,602 in donated labor.

This year, nearly 170 Wolves student-athletes and coaches will volunteer at 23 host sites across Aberdeen and surrounding communities. Projects include cleaning, landscaping, organizing, and community outreach efforts benefiting organizations such as:

• Aberdeen Community Theatre
• Aberdeen Downtown Association
• Aspire
• Aberdeen Aqua Addicts
• Avera Physical Therapy
• Boys & Girls Club of Aberdeen
• Dacotah Prairie Museum
• Girl Scout Camp
• Groton Development Corporation
• Habitat for Humanity Store and House
• Journey Church
• Journey Home
• KO Lee Public Library
• Aberdeen Ride Line
• Safe Harbor
• Sanford Medical Center
• Aberdeen Senior Center
• Senior Nutrition
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• Westport Sacred Heart Parish
• Wylie Park
• Youth Development Center YMCA
• YMCA Building & Rails Strength & Fitness

“From the sports field to their career field, Northern student-athletes are training for excellence,” said Angie Cleberg, communications and impact coordinator at United Way of Northeastern South Dakota. “While over 20 organizations will benefit from this day, the lesson of taking ownership in shaping your community will be a priceless addition to the wisdom of leadership NSU has instilled in these students.”

Following the morning of service, lunch will be provided at the NSU Barnett Center. Host sites are encouraged to share their mission and goals with student-athletes, helping to connect service with community impact.

This year’s Day of Champions is sponsored by NSU Athletics, United Way of Northeastern South Dakota, 3M, Aberdeen Sertoma Club, Dacotah Bank, Eide Bailly, Jimmy John’s, QQP, Target, and Twist Cone.

Northern State University provides students with a transformative education. The Northern Experience is unmatched—emphasizing quality, personalized attention, and accessibility with a low cost of attendance and the largest guaranteed four-year scholarship in the region.

Northern proudly offers nationally accredited academic programs in the Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Counseling, and Fine Arts. NSU is home to Wolves athletics, which sponsors 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC).

Northern and the community of Aberdeen, South Dakota, partner to foster a safe, inviting and supportive community; diverse civic, social, cultural, recreational, entrepreneurship and internship opportunities; and leading-edge academic, artistic, athletic, recreational and residential facilities.

To join us on a journey of discovery and endless opportunities, visit northern.edu.