Lakewood, N.J. - Service. It is not only a Mercy core value, but a way of life at Georgian Court University. A value that the GCU Lions have taken to the next level as the University's student-athletes are the proud the recipients of the 2017 NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition award for their community outreach efforts.

NCAA Team Works, which coordinates community service efforts at NCAA championships, and Helper Helper, a volunteer management and tracking platform, launched the community service competition to recognize student-athletes who give back to their communities. The competition ran from January through March. The winning schools were determined based on the amount of service hours completed and the participation of student-athletes. The NCAA will honor the student-athletes later this month on their campus.

"I am so exceptionally proud of our student-athletes for living our value of service this and every year," stated Laura Liesman, Assistant Vice President for Athletics & Recreation. To make serving others a top priority, while also balancing a full calendar of academic and athletic responsibilities, is a true testament to the character of a Georgian Court University student-athlete ... Well done, Lions! 

Student-athletes at Georgian Court earned first place in the Division II category. They participated in more than 90 events from January 1 through March 31, amassing more than 3,300 hours of service. The Lions have compiled over 10,300 service since August as they work towards their ultimate goal of 15,000 for the school year!  

"On behalf of all the student-athletes here at Georgian Court, I am proud of the achievement that we have accomplished over the last year," said Ben Salsby, Georgian Court Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president. "Having an app such as Helper Helper allowing us to track the hours volunteered is a great idea, giving the students something to look back on at the end of their seasons or semesters showing them what impact they have made. With 10,000 community service hours alone last academic year, it has given us a great baseline to work from, providing a good stepping stone for future generations of Georgian Court student-athletes."

Among other volunteer activities, student-athletes from various Georgian Court teams travel once or twice per month to a local senior community, where they compete in the Georgian Court Wii Bowling Championships against the residents.  

"Connecting student-athletes and member schools to their communities highlights the impact of leadership, collaboration and dedication in college sports and cities across the country," said Victor Hill, NCAA associate director of championships and community programs. "NCAA Team Works is proud to recognize the difference student-athletes make beyond the classroom and competition, while also supporting the student-athlete experience, their well-being and their successes through service projects and community engagement."

Division II finalists included Arkansas Tech, Mercy, Winona State and Texas Woman's University. 

For more information on the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition, visit ncaa.com/teamworks.