FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted its annual NSU Fall Kickoff Party at the Rick Case Arena on Sunday afternoon.
 
With 298 student-athletes in attendance, as well as NSU coaches and staff members, the Sharks collected and organized over 3,200 school supplies for Davie Elementary, welcomed Make-A-Wish recipient and cancer survivor Marina Diez and attempted to set a Guinness Record of the most people involved in a game of flip cup.
 
"This event helps begin the year on such a positive note with comradery, excitement and fun," explained Coordinator of Athletic Academic Services and SAAC Liaison, Laura Barry. "We have amazing student-athletes, and it is great watching them participate in giving back to the community and cheering for one another while working toward one goal."
 
The student-athletes sorted the school supplies by grade level and each wrote a note for each student at Davie Elementary to be placed in the boxes.
 
"The student-athlete social is a huge event for SAAC because it is the first time we get to put our name out to all of the incoming athletes for the year," described Kyle Kilbourne, SAAC Co-President and baseball student-athlete. "This year's event was the best I think anyone who has been here has been a part of so far, and we hope to improve on whatever we can for next year. Working together as a team to gather and sort a large amount of school supplies for Davie Elementary, while also getting to break a world record is a special opportunity for all of us. This event is a microcosm of what SAAC tries to embody, student-athletes coming together to support each other and the community, and yesterday we got to experience what that felt like with a fun, interactive event."
 
To break the world record for number of people playing in a flip cup game, the student-athletes were split into two teams at four tables, competing against each other.
 
"SAAC executive board was really proud and excited to present the student athletes with an opportunity to work together in order to break a Guinness World Record," said Ashlyn Hill, SAAC Co-President and volleyball student-athlete. "Flip Cup seemed like the perfect vehicle in order to accomplish a great feat while having the student athletes compete and challenge one another."
 
NSU kicks off its 2017-18 sports seasons this Friday at home with volleyball hosting its 10th-Annual Shark Invitational, playing at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. while women's soccer hosts North Alabama at 7:00 p.m. at the NSU Soccer Complex.