Student-athletes toss in spare change for Make-A-Wish Foundation

CSUMB’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its second annual Penny Wars throughout the school year, raising more than $1,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the official charity of NCAA Division II schools.

Penny Wars was a competition among teams, but with a catch. Members of the university’s 12 teams (men’s and women’s cross country teams combined) earned points by depositing pennies in their teams’ jars.

But, members of one team could sabotage another team by putting money other than pennies – like nickels, dimes and dollars – in their competition’s jars. The penny value of that money was subtracted from that team’s total.

At the end of each week, the jars were collected and counted; the teams were updated with their standings as the school year progressed. The jars were at all CSUMB sporting events and in the Otter Athletic Office throughout the year.

“This was a fun – and competitive – way to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said SAAC President Carrie LaPonza, a senior math major. “This was a great way to get all our teams involved.”

Women's basketball took top honors by raising $246.83; women's water polo and baseball were second and third, respectively.