FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - As the holiday season approaches the Nova Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) wanted to spread cheer leading the initiative, while the NSU Swimming programs made the deliveries in a toy drive at the Marti Huizenga, as well as the Rick and Rita Case Boys and Girls Clubs. The Sharks athletics department collected and donated over 100 toys to the youth clubs.


Maeve Hunt, Lauren O'Brien, Audrey Rackel, Brady Estrada, Amanda Kopas, Alessandro Xella, Robby Spekis, Jarryd Baxter, Aiden Hichkad, and Christian Vendetti were the Sharks in attendance for the toy donations.

Hunt, a junior for the NSU Women's Swimming program, enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the children's clubs. "Going to different boys and girls clubs was such an amazing experience and a great opportunity to interact with kids in our community. Getting to see the joy on their faces when they saw gifts and then being able to sit and talk with them about school and athletics was so much fun," said Hunt. "The kids loved being able to meet us student-athletes and learn about what it's like to be in collegiate athletics. It was such a great way to spend the last few days we had on campus during the holiday season."

Spekis added, "it was really rewarding to be able to speak to all the kids we met about NSU and the Sharks swimming program and answer their questions. The smile on their faces when they got to pick a gift made the whole experience worthwhile."