Ferris student-athletes and the community were brought together on Jan. 30 for the first-ever blood drive hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
In partnership with the Red Cross, the SAAC held a blood drive in the Ewigleben Sports Complex, open to students and the Big Rapids community.
Compliance and Student-Athlete Success Coordinator Justin Jackson explained why he wants student-athlete involvement in community service.
“I try to get them to understand that being in the position that they’re in, they have an obligation to give back to the community because the community gives them so much in terms of their support,” Jackson said. “Especially during the games and get them to kind of pay attention to people in the stands and making sure they understand that we only get so far with the stuff that we can do inside so it’s nice to have that support from the community so the only thing that we can do to thank them was to give back.”
Jackson further stated that the blood drive serves as the student-athlete’s way of repaying the community for their years of attendance and support for Ferris sports teams.
Word spread throughout the student-athlete community, encouraging them to donate their blood, which helps patients in West Michigan hospitals.
Secondary education junior Morgan Seog started the idea of the SAAC hosting a blood drive.
“I joined SAAC last year and Justin gave me the opportunity to be the community service chair this year so that’s a role that I took on,” Seog said. “My mom actually does blood drives back home a lot so that’s kind of where I started the idea from and I figured it was a good way to just kind of connect the community of Big Rapids together to help save lives.”
Seog is a member of the Ferris women’s golf team. Due to an injury she sustained last year, she spent her recovery time taking action in brainstorming different events that both athletes and the community could get involved in.
Athletes who signed up to either give blood or volunteer had the blood drive count towards their community service hours.
Nursing freshman Ashley Thomasma volunteered her time to the blood drive, working the front desk and checking people in.
“So my teammate asked me to, and I thought that it was for a good cause and so I thought I might help out.” Thomasma said. “I think it’s a great idea and having the community come out and help is definitely a great cause.”
While some student-athletes like Thomasma volunteered their time, others donated their blood.
Television and digital media production junior Aimee Cupido is a member of the women’s tennis team who donated.
“I’ve done it before. I think it’s for a good cause. But I also wanted Buffalo Wild Wings,” Cupido said.
Nervous before heading towards the testing area, Cupido expressed that she knew she would feel dizzy afterward but was happy that she would receive the Buffalo Wild Wings coupon when it was over.
The SAAC plans to host another blood drive in the upcoming fall and the following spring.