AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University Athletics has once again been recognized among the top NCAA Division II programs in community service, finishing in the top 20 nationally in the 2024–25 NCAA Helper Helper Service Challenge. This marks the third consecutive year Augusta has placed in the top 20 in the final standings.
Jaguar student-athletes contributed 2,068 validated hours of community service since August 1, 2024, supporting 21 local organizations and attending over 900 volunteer commitments. The department reached a 77 percent participation rate, with 238 of 310 student-athletes engaging in service through 64 opportunities.
Augusta's softball program ranked in the top 5 nationally among all Division II softball teams. The top five teams in total hours for Augusta Athletics included:
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Softball – 612 hours
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Baseball – 249 hours
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Volleyball – 242 hours
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Women's Basketball – 219 hours
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Men's Basketball – 185 hours
"Although our motivation in serving is altruistic in nature, we're always honored to be recognized for the contributions our players make to our community," said Assistant AD for Internal Affairs / Head Softball Coach Melissa Brocato. "As a staff, we strive to teach selflessness and giving back. We love our Augusta community and campus, and we take great pride in being able to set aside some of our time to serve others."
Division II student-athletes logged 199,537 total service hours through 4,334 opportunities across all institutions participating in the competition.
The NCAA Helper Helper Service Challenge is a nationwide community service initiative that ranks athletic departments across Divisions I, II, and III based on service hours per student-athlete and participation rate. Nearly 54,000 student-athletes contributed more than 610,000 total hours of service across all divisions in 2024–25.
"Giving back to our community and serving others will always be prioritized and part of our core," said Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher. "We take tremendous pride in the work we do throughout the CSRA and beyond—proud of our teams for the way they continue to impact our campus and community in a positive and meaningful way."
Through partnerships with the CSRA Buddy Walk, Tunnel to Towers, Habitat for Humanity, AU Volunteer Services, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The Georgia Cancer Center, and the Richmond and Columbia County School Systems, Augusta Athletics continues to strengthen its ties to the community and promote meaningful student engagement.
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