Members of the McMurry and Hardin-Simmons women's basketball teams present their collection of funds to the Children's Miracle Network at halftime of the MCM-HSU men's game on Jan. 22 in Abilene, Texas.

Charities of Choice: Concordia University at Austin: Coaches vs. Cancer ($47.00) East Texas Baptist University: Boys and Girls Club of Marshall ($180.00) Hardin-Simmons University: Children’s Miracle Network ($479.23) Howard Payne University: Head Start of Brownwood ($162.15) LeTourneau University: Boys and Girls Club of Longview ($155.94) Louisiana College: Children's Miracle Network ($111.42) University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: Helping Hands Ministry of Belton ($41.25) McMurry University: Children’s Miracle Network ($900.89) Mississippi College: American Lung Association ($29.00) University of the Ozarks: Ozark Rape Crisis Center in Clarksville ($303.00) Sul Ross State University: Family Crisis Center of Big Bend ($42.20) University Of Texas at Dallas: Children's Hospital of Dallas ($160.00) University Of Texas at Tyler: Relay For Life ($104.04) Grand Total $2,716.12 Top Collecting SAAC McMurry University Total: $900.89 Division Pools 1ST PLACE Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, McMurry University, Sul Ross State University Combined Total: $1,584.47 University of the Ozarks, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Tyler Combined Total: $567.04 East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, Louisiana College, Mississippi College Combined Total: $476.36 Concordia University at Austin, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Schreiner University, Texas Lutheran University Combined Total: $88.25

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RICHARDSON, Texas –– Student-Athlete Advisory Committees from the American Southwest Conference membership teamed together to raise $2,716.12 in the “Make a Change in 14 Days” loose coin campaign.

Eleven different organizations received support through the local campus fundraising efforts. Included was the American Lung Association, Boys and Girls Club of Marshall and Longview (Texas), Children’s Hospital of Dallas, Children’s Miracle Network, Coaches vs. Cancer, Family Crisis Center of Big Bend (Texas), Head Start of Brownwood (Texas), Helping Pregnancy of Temple (Texas), Ozark Rape Crisis Center in Clarksville (Ark.) and Relay for Life.

"With the majority of charities being local entities, it's great to see everyone giving back to the communities that serve and support their local colleges and universities," said Nolan Pritchard, a Sul Ross State tennis player who is a member of the NCAA Division III National SAAC.

The two-week conference-wide SAAC project was also designed as a challenge among ASC campuses and was scheduled during the turn of the conference basketball season. The division pool of Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, McMurry University and Sul Ross State University claimed the title with a combined $1,584.47 raised.

McMurry, located in Abilene, Texas, was the top-collecting ASC institution, raising $900.89 for the Children's Miracle Network. The McMurry women's basketball team presented the collection of funds to CMN at halftime of the January 22 men's home game against Hardin-Simmons– the very day the campaign began.

"It was really special for the women," said McMurry SAAC President Symbri Tuttle, a senior point guard. "The team bought into the whole idea and the fans did as well. They were willing to give all the change they had. It was amazing because we collected coins on short notice."

The Hardin-Simmons women's basketball team also joined McMurry at center court and presented a donation of their own to the CMN.

"Two schools that have such a good rivalry coming together was great," Tuttle added. "I hope this continues and becomes a tradition."

"Make a Change in 14 Days is the first conference-wide project undertaken by the member SAAC groups and it was a success for the various organizations, the student-athletes and the local communities," Amy Carlton, conference commissioner, said. "We will look to the SAAC to continue and expand the project in the future."

Stories and pictures from previous SAAC events can be found on the SAAC page.