On Friday, Feb. 10, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), helped senior citizens celebrate an extra special Valentine’s Day by putting on a one-of-a-kind prom in the Athletic Center.

Senior citizens from local recreation centers at Nottingham and Sedgewick Heights came to the event, where they were treated to desserts and dancing with the student athletes.

“What a great feeling to see people smiling, dancing and engaging in conversation from such different generations,” said Associate Athletic Director Jeanne Murphy, who helped SAAC organize the event. “Music is such a tremendous tool to bring all types of people together to create such positive energy and feelings no matter what your age or background.”

Murphy first proposed the idea of having a senior citizen prom after searching on Google and YouTube one night for community engagement activities. During her search she came across a prom another Division II school had put on.

“I immediately got excited to share this with our SAAC executive board to see their thoughts on us hosting an event like this one. We had never done any type of community engagement with our senior population, so this seemed like a very creative way to get the two generations together and have fun,” Murphy said.

Located in Jamesville, the Nottingham Senior Living Community and Sedgwick Heights, located in Syracuse, provide assisted living for many senior citizens in the area, putting together community events for members to attend. At the prom, the seniors were delighted to receive their own corsages and boutonnieres when they entered through the door. Student-athletes waited for their arrival, helping them remove their coats and leading them to their seats inside the gym.

Student-athletes sat at the tables with senior citizens, talking to them and even leading them out to the dance floor. One of the highlights of the evening was when the senior citizens and student-athletes all participated in a train line led around the gym. There was even a photo area for senior couples and athletes to take pictures together.

“I think it was very successful.  We had close to 50 student athletes and 35 seniors from the Nottingham and Sedgwick Heights,” Murphy said. “I have already had requests from both generations to do this again next year but also they want to get together before then too.”

SAAC is run by a student executive board and representatives from each collegiate team. The committee works together to promote various community activities and to be involved with the community. For the rest of the semester, SAAC will continue to help support the Make-A-Wish Organization, an endeavor they have been supporting over the last few years.

Furthermore, SAAC will also be providing the Game Day Environment for the Upstate Challenge Games. There is men’s lacrosse Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., baseball April 11and women’s tennis in the Recreation Center April 14. All students and athletes are encouraged to attend these games where there are numerous prizes and activities.  SAAC is also selling green Upstate Challenge T-shirts for $5.

SAAC will also be holding its fifth annual Scholar Athlete Recognition Breakfast on March 22 at 7:30 a.m. in the James Commons. This breakfast recognizes the student athletes who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher. This year marks the highest number of athletes being recognized for this accomplishment; 54 athletes are to attend. Each athlete invites a professor of his or her choice who has had a significant impact on the student’s experience at Le Moyne.

For more information on SAAC, contact Jeanne Murphy or Committee President John Klepfer.