After learning of the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, men's lacrosse Head Coach Tom Carmean was inspired to take action-and to include the entire Amherst athletic department in the effort. With the help of Amherst's athletic staff and student-athletes, Carmean decided to aid the victims of Katrina by gathering much-needed supplies in Amherst, loading them into a rented truck and then driving them down to New Orleans himself.

After President Anthony Marx gave his approval for the fundraising effort, Carmean and the athletic department wasted no time in organizing a meeting of all the seniors and captains of the varsity teams. They in turn solicited their teammates and fellow students for whatever they could donate.

According to Hitchcock Fellow Kathryn Honderd '05, although the idea was Carmean's, the responsibility to organize fell entirely on the students. "We asked the athletes to spread the word, collect supplies and volunteer some of their time towards sorting and packing on Wednesday," she said. "Their response was overwhelming. In only one night, the student-athletes came up with thousands of dollars worth of supplies, from monetary donations from teammates and other students as well as clothes and other requested items from student dorms."

Within just 24 hours, Amherst student-athletes from fall, winter and spring teams collected enough food, clothing and equipment to reach their objective: filling a 25-foot truck with supplies like food, clothing and bedding for the immediate relief effort.

Having athletes spearhead the collection and loading of the truck streamlined the effort. "The idea was to use the energy and mobilizing power of the Amherst sports teams to raise money and collect supplies," said softball team co-captain Miya Warner '06.

"We split up the campus dorms between the different sports teams, so each was responsible for collecting from certain dorms," Warner explained. "Each team was also asked to sign up for a two-hour slot to help sort the goods and load the truck."

Sue Everden, the co-interim athletic director and the head coach of the volleyball team, was thrilled with the efforts put forth by the athletes. "I am extremely proud of our student-athletes," she said. "Once again, they have really risen to the occasion with an overwhelming display of cooperation, compassion and action.

Warner responded similarly. "I was amazed by how quickly and effectively the teams were able to raise money and purchase supplies," she said. "We were only given 24 hours, and we managed to fill the truck with food, clothing, baby supplies and other goods."

Women's cross country team co-captain Shauneen Garrahan '07 agreed that timing was everything. "With thousands of Katrina victims struggling daily to survive without basic necessities such as food, clothing and clean water, it was important for the Amherst athletic teams to help respond as quickly as possible," she said. "Since the athletic teams have the advantage of being able to quickly mobilize a group effort, we were able to collect donations, sort and pack the items all within [a limited period of time]."

Softball co-captain Rachel Hoerger '06 added that she hopes that students at the College understand the number-one priority of all the teams was to assist those people in need as fast as possible. "I don't think it matters who it was that got involved. It could have been a group of English majors; all that matters is that students got involved," she said. "The bottom line is that there are people down there that don't have food."

The town of Amherst got into the donation act as well. "Once people from town heard about what we were doing, they started bringing supplies and donating money as well," said Warner. "It was really a community effort."

The recipients of the aid were not the only ones to benefit from the student-athletes' efforts.

"Sometimes athletes get a bad rap," said Warner. "We're stereotyped as politically apathetic and uninterested in community service, but for the Katrina relief effort Amherst athletes really stepped up and made a big contribution."

Despite the speed with which they had to work, participants managed to enjoy themselves in the collection and packing process. "Throughout our service in the Katrina relief effort, our team was also able to bond together on a whole new level," said Garrahan.

Sophomore resident counselor and women's basketball team member Anne-Claire Roesch was impressed by the sense of community instilled by the athlete's efforts. "After it was all over, you had to feel good about yourself, no matter how small the contribution," she said. "I think most importantly, I was given another reason to feel proud about being here at Amherst. Although there are thousands in need, a portion of those people are better off because of Amherst College."