ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The W Athletics saw one of its departmental core values – that of 'service' – come to fruition as it was honored as the winner of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (SLIAC) 2025-26 SAAC Service Challenge award, presented at the league's annual meeting. It marked the Owls' first time winning the award, after placing second last year.
"I am very proud of our SAAC leadership, our student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their efforts," MUW Director of Athletics Buddy Foster said of winning the SAAC Challenge. "The large amount of time spent and the number of events in which we participate is no accident. Our department expects that we all embrace the idea of 'giving back' in some meaningful manner. It is a way of recognizing that it is a privilege, not a right, to wear The W's name across our chest and be ambassadors for the city of Columbus."
The Owls collected a SLIAC record 53,087.5 points this year, including adding nearly 20,000 points in the spring sport season. The Owls have built a tradition of involvement by visiting local elementary schools, assisting at shelters, volunteering on campus, and connecting to the community through civic events, like the Columbus Lowndes County Animal Shelter adoption event this spring.
Some of MUW's other outreach efforts have included its annual Hoot & Hoops safe trick-or-treating/Meet the Basketball Teams night, campus move-in day, cancer awareness activities, the Diabetes Walk, community Easter Egg Hunt, and food pantry donations, to name a few.
Blackburn College made a strong push this spring to finish second in the standings with 37,418 points. Beaver student-athletes participated in the Beautification Day this spring, with six different athletic programs being represented. The Beaver men's soccer team had 24 players participate, spending the day helping clean up campus and the Carlinville community. The softball and women's soccer teams also assisted at the Macoupin County Disabilities Field Day.
Westminster College was third with 9,350 points this year, totaling points by visiting local schools and volunteering with campus activities.
Lyon College finished fourth this year with 7810 points. The Scots were active this spring in helping renovate their sand volleyball court on campus, as well as spending time volunteering at a local thrift shop, church, and visiting a local elementary school.
Principia College collected over 5,000 points this spring, bringing its yearly total to 7,235 points. The Principia baseball team spent three Sundays during the spring working at youth baseball camps, while the track and field program volunteered at a local garden on Earth Day.
Webster University concluded the year with 5,581.5 points, while Eureka College also recorded 68.5 points this season.
