Women's Basketball | December 11
DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University women's basketball team was honored with the Mid-American Conference Sport Program Give Back Leadership Award for the week of December 7-11 on Friday, as announced by the league office. The award is based upon the activities of the program over the last three weeks.
During the last month, NIU women's basketball has created an implemented a "Women for Change" series on social media to highlight leaders in sport who are making an impact on social justice reform. The Huskies have also partnered with Adidas to develop a gameday "Women for Change" shirt. The program has participated in the Second & Seven reading campaign for area elementary school students while also mentoring DeKalb high school students.
The team has also assisted with Operation Christmas Child, which collects toys for those in need overseas. It has also made 100 cards of encouragement for the residents of the DeKalb Senior Center. NIU women's basketball has participated in weekly social justice education sessions since July and engaged in conversations with multiple members of the NIU community on various social justice issues.
"Our program takes great pride in service to our community and to our institution," said head coach
Lisa Carlsen. "We have players of high character and a clear understanding of the importance of giving back. Our staff, and in particular assistant coach
Alexis Lawrence who heads our service and social justice initiatives, has done a tremendous job of putting together a platform for our whole program to grow, learn, advocate and demonstrate what each student-athlete is passionate about."
NIU women's basketball joins NIU women's soccer, volleyball, and softball as Huskie athletic programs that have been awarded the MAC Give Back Leadership Award this academic year.
The Huskies are next in action at Bradley on Sunday, December 13. Tipoff in Peoria is at 2 p.m. with game being broadcast on ESPN+.
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