Jan. 30, 2008

ABILENE, Texas - For the second consecutive year, the Hardin-Simmons Student-Athlete Advisory Committee joins every SAAC group within the American Southwest Conference in the "Make a Change in 14 Days" loose coin campaign for charity.

The HSU SAAC will use coins collected to support the Children's Miracle Network. Arrangements are in place to collect change (coins) at the home basketball games over the next two weeks. "Make a Change in 14 Days" coincides with the turn of the conference basketball season.

The conference-wide SAAC project is also designed as a challenge among the ASC campuses. The SAAC collecting the most funds will be honored by the conference. The top school from each of these four "division pools," compiled from opponents over the 14-day stretch, will be honored as well:

• University of Texas at Dallas, University of the Ozarks and University of Texas at Tyler • East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, Louisiana College and Mississippi College • Howard Payne University, Sul Ross State University, McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University • Concordia University at Austin, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Schreiner University and Texas Lutheran University.

Last year, the 15 conference SAAC groups combined to raise $2,716.12 for charity.

"Make a Change in 14 Days showcases our student-athletes on each of our campuses and allows them an additional avenue to give back to their local communities," ASC Commissioner Amy Carlton said. "The success in year one fueled the conference-wide SAAC's support of this project for 2008 and beyond."

HSU basketball fans can be on the lookout for "ASC Get Hoops" give-a-way T-Shirts at the Feb. 7 and Feb. 9 home games during the project.