Your chance to Adopt a Laker

Nipissing is launching a new way of giving to the university that offers fans the chance to get involved in the student athlete experience by adopting a Laker.

The Adopt-A-Laker program matches donors to Lakers sports teams through individual athletes. The financial support makes an immediate and direct impact, helping to offset the costs of training programs, travel and equipment costs for Nipissing’s athletes.

The program was launched on September 30 in front of the Living Wall in the Athletics Centre.

There are more than 100 student athletes currently studying at Nipissing University and seven varsity teams: Men’s Hockey, Mens’ and Women’s Soccer and Volleyball, Cross-country running and Nordic Skiing. Each athlete dedicates an average of 15 hours per week to training and competition while maintaining a 70 per cent average and full-time course load. The balance leaves little time for athletes to earn income through part-time employment. Athletes are also responsible for some costs to compete, such as shoes, skates and personal equipment; team travel wear; and nutrition while travelling to competitions.

“It is important to us to help fans connect with our student athletes and our teams. Players provide fans with a great deal of excitement and entertainment, and they contribute to a number of positive contributions in the community as well, through activities like camps for kids and breast cancer awareness programs,” said Vito Castiglione, manager, sports and recreation at Nipissing.  “The dedication required by student athletes breeds leadership. By adopting a Laker, our fans can help our athletes concentrate more fully on their studies, their sport, and their community. An investment in the Adopt-A-Laker program is an investment leadership.”

“Speaking from experience, it can be pretty demanding to balance academics and competition, both at a very high level, while acting as a community and university ambassador,” said Taralynn Ray, a fifth-year concurrent education student who competes on the Lakers Cross-Country running team. “As student athletes, we have to be very focused and make sure that we manage our time effectively. It is rewarding to see people and businesses in the community show their support for us through the Adopt-A-Lakerprogram.”

For more information on the Adopt-A-Laker program, and to give, click here.