April 30, 2007

Complete Release in PDF format

Cleveland, OH -- Coca-Cola North America and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) today announced the recipients of the 2006-07 Coca-Cola Community All-American awards. The Coca-Cola Community All-Americans program recognizes, celebrates and applauds student-athletes who are making a difference in their communities.

The Coca-Cola Community All-Americans will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at NACDA's 42nd Annual Convention. Additionally, Coca-Cola will make a $5,000 donation to the community/philanthropic cause of each recipient's choice. One winner has been selected in each of the following categories - Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A), Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), Division I (formerly Division I-AAA), Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior/Community College. The following student-athletes have been selected as national Coca-Cola Community All-Americans (listing includes their college or university and their philanthropic cause):

Football Bowl Subdivision: Tyler Palko, University of Pittsburgh
Philanthropic Cause: TC House Foundation

Football Championship Subdivision: Ryan Koepke, Valparaiso University
Philanthropic Causes: Camp Watcha Wanna Do, Hands of Hope International, Inc., Walt's Place

Division I: Jane Daniels, University of North Carolina Charlotte
Philanthropic Causes: Girls on the Run International, University City YMCA,Oostburg Community Education Foundation

Division II: Sarah Gosling, University of California San Diego
Philanthropic Causes: ACLU, The Daughter/Sisters Project

Division III: Kirk MacDonald, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Philanthropic Causes: American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

Junior/Community College: Radosav Babic, Ancilla College
Philanthropic Causes: Ancilla Men's Basketball Program, Brevard Men's Basketball Program

NAIA: Christine Fisher, Mills College
Philanthropic Causes: Child Life Department (Children's Hospital Oakland), Mills College Athletics

Tyler Palko graduated in May, 2006 with a bachelor's degree in communications and rhetoric with a 3.14 GPA. He is currently pursuing a second major in economics, was selected as a 2005 Big East All-Academic Football Team honoree and is a member of Pitt's prestigious "Blue-Gold Society." Additionally, Palko was recently named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) "Good Works Team" that honors student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in their dedication to community service. Palko was the keynote speaker for the 2003 Erie (PA) Make-A-Wish Foundation Banquet, a 2006 Walk for Autism participant and a DARE Role Model. He is also a regular visitor to Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital and periodically speaks at area youth camps and football clinics promoting the core values of education, sports, family and staying drug free. Most significantly, Palko teamed up with lifelong friend, Chris McGough, who was born with Down Syndrome to form the TC House Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization established to raise money for the construction of a group home for individuals with Down Syndrome in Palko and McGough's hometown of Imperial (PA). Thus far, the foundation has hosted two golf tournaments that have increased in participants from 91 golfers in 2005 to 126 in 2006. Palko has served as McGough's mentor since elementary school but has also learned a lot from him as well. He said, "The way he (McGough) appreciates the simplest things, the way he treats people and loves to laugh and loves life - it helps bring everything into perspective."

Ryan Koepke, is a football student-athlete majoring in mechanical engineering with a 3.626 GPA. He was recognized as a 2006 Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star and was honored on the 2005 and 2006 Pioneer Football Academic Honor Roll. A member of the Academic All-PFL First Team and the 2006 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, he was Valpo's leading tackler in 2006. Koepke averages 30 hours of community service each month at a variety of organizations. For example, he volunteers at several local elementary schools teaching young students the importance of staying in school. Koepke has also volunteered his time at Camp Watcha Wanna Do, for young cancer patients and survivors, Habitat for Humanity, the Spring Valley Homeless Shelter and the Porter County Hospital. Additionally, he participated in the "I Need A Hug" Program and the Interfaith Hospitality Network. This past summer Koepke visited Guatemala on a Hands of Hope International Medical Mission Trip. He assisted in the treatment of 1,021 patients, personally pulled 29 teeth and gave 8 Lidacaine shots. Koepke is the vice president and philanthropic chairman of the Theta Chi Fraternity and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Furthermore, Koepke is a Type 1 diabetic. He has to give himself four shots a day and check his blood sugar 12-14 times daily. Instead of using his condition as an excuse, he uses it as motivation with the hope of being a positive example for others experiencing challenges.

Jane Daniels is a 4.0 biology major and member of Charlotte's women's cross country, outdoor and indoor track and field teams. She is a five-time honoree on the institution's Chancellor's List and AD's List. She is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and has received a Conference USA Academic Medal on five separate occasions. Daniels has been a volunteer for the Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Run for the Kids, the Peoria Art Guild Fair, the Steamboat 15K Race and Illinois State Cross Country Meets. She has also served as a camp counselor for inner-city youth and a Bible School teacher. Additionally, as SAAC president, Daniels organizes Charlotte's annual Toys for Tots Drive. Annually, she also markets and volunteers at two blood drives and is a Police Athletics League tutor. Daniels' greatest contribution to the Charlotte community has been her development of the 49er Shoe Drive, which stemmed from her realization that many student-athletes had old pairs of athletic shoes that were not being used but still very usable. During the past two years, Daniels has organized three separate drives and collected over 600 pairs of shoes, which she then delivered to the Charlotte Uptown Men's Shelter and the Crisis Assistance Ministry. In addition her academic and volunteer success, Daniels is a Conference USA champion, an All-Atlantic 10 Conference performer and school record holder.

Sarah Gosling is a member of the UC San Diego women's rowing team. Gosling had moved to New Orleans with plans of attending Tulane University in New Orleans, but when hurricane Katrina hit she was forced to move back to San Diego. Realizing that many of hurricane Katrina's victims were not as fortunate as she was and had no place else to go, Gosling organized Project Recovery. Project Recovery helped to provide devastated families with bedding, towels, kitchen necessities, clothing, toys, musical instruments, books and gift certificates. Gosling's work with Project Recovery led to the development of her own nonprofit organization called Our Hands, Your Heart. Gosling's primary initiative with this organization is the development of an after-school Youth Center for low-income families in the San Diego area. The San Diego Future Foundation has already committed to a donation of 20 computers for the Center and Gosling spends an average of 40-60 hours per month applying for grants, interviewing families, searching for potential Youth Center locations and networking to create a solid volunteer base for the program. Gosling is a sociology and critical gender studies major with a 3.557 GPA. She was honored on the Gold Level Honor Roll.

Kirk MacDonald is a hockey student-athlete at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a survivor of testicular cancer. MacDonald has rebounded from cancer to become a leader in the community, an advocate for testicular cancer awareness and a charismatic spokesperson on the importance of being tested and educated about cancer. MacDonald has worked to raise funds for cancer research and awareness through the organization of a head-shaving campaign, a jersey raffle and the First Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Rensselaer. 124,000 dollars were raised through this initiative, which was the largest amount ever raised by a first-time entrant. As a result, the American Cancer Society awarded Rensselaer with the "Nationwide Number One Rookie Youth Event." MacDonald also supported the cause of cancer research and awareness through his appointment to the American Cancer Society Youth Council for New York and New Jersey, his assistance in the Second Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Rensselaer and his organization of autographed NHL jersey and stick raffles, all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. MacDonald has also served as a volunteer youth hockey coach and is a member of Rensselaer's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Community Relations division. He is a member of the Rensselaer Student-Athlete Honor Society and a three-time Dean's List honoree. Furthermore, MacDonald has dedicated much of his time to helping his father recover from a massive stroke, which left him in a wheelchair. Instead of lamenting his situation and adversities, MacDonald has channeled his hardships as motivation to further serve his team, school and community.

Christine Fisher is a child development major at Mills College with a 3.36 GPA. She is a NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete and Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America Academic All-American. She is the recipient of the NAIA Champion of Character Award, the Team-Up for Youth Certificate of Appreciation for Coaching Corps, the NCAA CHAMPs/Life Skills Certificate of Appreciation and the Mills College Golden M. As a member of the Mills women's swim team, she competed in two NAIA national swimming championships as both an individual and a member of a relay team. Fisher was instrumental in organizing the swim team's community service efforts which were honored with the Jostens/ National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators Community Service Award of Merit and the NAIA Buffalo Funds Five Star Team Champion of Character Award. These numerous accolades are a reflection of Fisher's dedication to service and leadership. She has been the Mills CHAMPS-SAAC leader for two years running and as such, helped organize an Empowerment Workshop for Mills student-athletes and the Havenscourt Middle School Project. As part of this project, Mills student-athletes and athletics staff members worked to refurbish and restore the middle school library after three years of disuse, paint the hallways, install bulletin boards, and create a faculty-student lounge. Additionally, Fisher taught in swim clinics and helped to staff the Women's Cancer Resource Center Swim-A-Mile fundraiser, which raised $260,000. She also helped to coordinate Mills student-athletes' efforts for the Fall Frenzy, a day of soccer and poetry for underserved youth hosted by Bay Area SCORES at Mills College. Furthermore, Fisher volunteered to be the first-ever Mills College Campus Coordinator for Coaching Corps, which recruits, trains and places college students as volunteer coaches in community-based organizations serving children in low-income neighborhoods. Fisher assisted in the placement of 75 volunteer coaches in 17 after-school programs, benefiting over 500 kids.

Radosav Babic is a member of the Ancilla College men's basketball team and boasts a GPA of 3.97 in business administration. He also serves as Ancilla's student body president, is a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a member of the Ancilla College Diversity Committee as well as Phi Theta Kappa. Babic has volunteered at several local basketball camps, chops wood for households in need of heat and offers his cleaning services to a local church. He also referees basketball games at the Boys and Girls Club, volunteers as an Ancilla College peer mentor and assists a local exchange student organization. Moreover, Babic is a dorm hallway leader at The Point, a campus dorm for athletes, and there have been zero policy violations under his watch. Babic averages around 40 volunteer hours per week and has gained tremendous support from the community because of this service. This support is exceptionally remarkable considering that Babic is a native of Serbia-Montenegro and does not have any community ties. Babic's charisma and uncanny ability to connect with others attracts many fans to Ancilla basketball games. He is a model student-athlete but also the quintessential community representative.

Since Coca-Cola and NACDA teamed up to launch the Coca-Cola Community All-Americans program, numerous student-athletes and institutions across the country have been recognized for their hands-on volunteerism and community service.

"In addition to bringing national attention to the importance of volunteerism and community involvement, the Coca-Cola Community All-Americans program recognizes, celebrates and applauds student-athletes who are making a difference in their communities," said Kim Utlaut, regional asset manager, Coca-Cola North America. "Our dynamic partnership with NACDA provides us with an annual, integrated, hands-on program that inspires coaches and student-athletes to contribute time and energy through community volunteer programs. In addition, it gives us a platform for all schools and local Coca-Cola bottlers to actively embrace as they recognize student-athletes for their tremendous contributions to the communities in which they live, work and play."

Each academic year, athletics administrators, coaches and student-athletes are encouraged to nominate student-athletes who excel in community service by participating in the Coca-Cola Community All-Americans recognition program. Each athletics director reviews the institution's submissions and selects one student-athlete as its campus' annual Coca-Cola Community All-American. This student is then nominated for consideration in the national recognition program.

"The Coca-Cola Community All-American program allows our members to enhance their existing community relationships," said NACDA President Lee McElroy, athletics director, University at Albany. "It provides well deserved recognition for the many student-athletes that have a history of supporting community service. We're pleased to partner with Coca-Cola on this important program."

Coca-Cola has long supported and developed initiatives that give young people the motivation and tools they need to succeed. The Coca-Cola Community All-Americans program is a way to recognize and celebrate the student-athletes whose service embodies the American spirit of generosity and volunteerism. To learn more about the Coca-Cola Community All-American program, visit www.nacda.com/cccaa.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About NACDA

NACDA, now in its 42nd year, is the professional and educational association for more than 6,100 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 2,000 athletics administrators annually attend the NACDA Convention. Additionally, NACDA administers 10 professional associations for the separate business units that report directly to the athletics director. NACDA also operates the United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup program, which honors the four all-sports champions in the NCAA Division I, II and III; and the NAIA. The Association has an awards program that includes the James J. Corbett Memorial Award, the highest administrative award presented in intercollegiate athletics; the AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year Award, honoring the top 29 athletics directors by division across the country; and the Coca-Cola Community All-American Awards, recognizing seven student-athletes by division for their community service efforts. NACDA also provides a bi-monthly magazine, Athletics Administration.