Student Athletes: Cajuns Share True Meaning of Chistmas With Local Family

LAFAYETTE – Thanks to the generosity of the Lafayette community and the hard work of Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes, a local family will be celebrating a memorable Christmas holiday this year.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) partnered with Love Inc., of Lafayette to find a family in the Lafayette area to adopt for Christmas. The family that was adopted has a connection to the University – a single mother, and current UL student, who has two daughters.
 
Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, along with members of the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching and administrative staff delivered the gifts in person on Wednesday, visited with the family and read the "Night Before Christmas" to the children.
 
"The looks on those young girls faces makes it all worth it," Director of Athletics Scott Farmer said. "This is a project that our student-athletes choose to do year after year. They have a genuine excitement to not only assist a family each Christmas, but to make a positive impact in the community."
 
Student-athletes from all 16 varsity sports raised a total of $2,600 by volunteering to collect donations at recent men’s and women’s basketball games and the Ragin’ Cajuns football game against Troy. Student-athletes from both the football and volleyball teams donated part of their per diem to the fund and softball student-athletes donated out of their own pockets. Head football coach Mark Hudspeth matched his player’s contribution with a donation to the fund.
 
"This was an awesome experience," Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball player and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Sylvana Okde said. "I love visiting with the family and making a positive difference in our community."
 
Members of the Ragin’ Cajuns SAAC shopped for the family on Nov. 30 and wrapped the gifts on Tuesday at Earl K. Long Gym.
 
The Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program is one of the many ways Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes give back to the community. During the year, Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes spend countless hours serving in the community, visiting local schools and hospitals, assisting in Special Olympics and participating in Habitat for Humanity.