Indianapolis – The NCAA released Tuesday morning the 2018-19 Helper Helper Report, which tracks community engagement for all member institutions. Northern State University athletics finished the academic year ranked 20^th out of over 300 NCAA Division II members.
 
Northern State student-athletes accounted for over 5,000 community service hours in the past year from 329 total student-athletes. The Wolves averaged 15.4 hours per participant that logged into the Helper Helper app.
 
"Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate the value of giving back within the NSU and Aberdeen community," said Terri Holmes, associate director of athletics for compliance and senior women's administrator. "They are pulled in several directions between academics and competition, but always will find the time to help others. We are very proud of our student-athletes and know that they will continue with their community service after they have graduated from NSU."
 
Earlier this spring, Northern State swimming was honored as the volunteer team of the year at the second annual Thunder Awards, and were honored again on this report sitting third among all NCAA Division II female programs. Likewise, Wolves baseball landed fifth among male programs.
 
In addition, four Wolves Athletics teams landed in the top-10 of their respective sports at the Division II level. On the men's side, baseball led the way in the NCAA and accumulated 1,424 community service hours, averaging 33.1 hours per student-athlete, while wrestling came in fifth with 328 total team hours, averaging 13.1 hours per student-athlete.
 
"I am very proud of the time that our program has put back into the community," noted head baseball coach, Dean Berry. "They have made many sacrifices to make a positive impact on the community of Aberdeen. As a baseball program, we feel it is so important to give back to this great community that gives so much to Northern State and Northern State baseball."
 
On the women's side, swimming came in second with 1,237 total team hours, averaging 68.7 hours per student-athlete, and women's basketball finished fifth with 637 total team hours, averaging 37.5 hours per student-athlete.
 
"Community service is something that is embedded in our team culture," explained head swimming coach, Nicole Monanian. "The swimmers recognize how unique Aberdeen is and how much we receive from the community. They are excited to show their appreciation by giving back, both on their own, and through our program and athletic department."
 
Some of the many community engagement initiatives for Wolves Athletics throughout the year include the annual Day of Champions, Wildin' Wolves Night Out, the SAAC Dare to Share Food Drive, the Aberdeen Parks and Rec Haunted Forest, Spurs Therapeutic Riding Center, Special Olympics South Dakota, the Brown County Fair, the Aberdeen Family YMCA, Safe Harbor, the Boys & Girls Club of Aberdeen, the Kiwanis Club, and collaborations with the local elementary schools and youth programs.
 
NCAA Division II Helper Helper Top-25
1. Arkansas Tech University Athletics
2. Georgian Court University
3. Georgia Southwestern State University
4. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
5. Converse College
6. Daemen College
7. Emporia State University
8. Texas Woman's University
9. Davis & Elkins College
10. St. Cloud State University
11. Wayne State University
12. New York Institute of Technology
13. St. Thomas Aquinas College
14. Molloy College
15. Clayton State University
16. Regis University
17. Fresno Pacific University
18. Lenoir-Rhyne University
19. Mercy College
20. Northern State University
21. Midwestern State University
22. Dominican University of California
23. California State University, Monterey Bay
24. Coker College
25. Roberts Wesleyan College
 
About the Helper Helper Report
During the 2018-2019 school year, student-athletes from 46 states put forth a tremendous effort out in their local communities volunteering. Helper Helper is honored to work with these institutions and help encourage student-athletes to make a lasting impact. Throughout the year, student-athletes and staff used the Helper Helper app and online portal to coordinate and track their service efforts.  This report highlights top teams, top schools, and the winners of both challenges that were hosted this year.