MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's athletic department was selected as the NCAA's Sunshine State Conference representative of the Division II Community Engagement Award of Excellence program.
Barry participated in the Village of Miami Shores Street Fair on Oct. 13, 2012 to celebrate the community's 80th birthday. Student-athletes, coaches and administration staff from the Buccaneers athletic department ran an "athletic village" as part of the community-wide event.
Barry's personnel managed games, including a soccer kick, bean bag toss, miniature golf, basketball, rowing and agility staff. Members from the Bucs athletics also interacted with members of the community, had a table set up to give away prizes including Barry foam fingers, t-shirts, Buccaneer athletics poster schedules and candy. Barry's cheer team also put on an exciting performance.
The school's involvement in the street fair has had a positive influence on campus as attendance figures from community-wide residents have increased at Barry home athletic events. Additionally, the university and Village of Miami Shores have formed a greater connection.
Southern Arkansas was chosen as the NCAA Division II national winner of the community engagement program. Fifteen other schools around the country were selected as conference winners.