University of Minnesota Athletics
Christie Clarke Named Jan. MVG
1/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Development
The University of Minnesota and the Gopher athletics student-athlete development program will recognize one male and one female student-athlete each month, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty as ambassadors of the maroon and gold. New this year, Gopher athletics will announce its `Most Valuable Gophers' at the start of each month. This month's award goes out two individuals who have shown leadership on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in swimming's Christie Clarke along with the men's recipient, track/cross country's Derek Wiebke.
Criteria for the award will be based on one or more of the three student-athlete development areas:
• Leadership - leadership roles on athletic team, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives, student group participation, campus panels, team hosts or other roles as ambassadors of the Maroon and Gold, campus committees
• Professional Development - embracing career opportunities on campus and programs offered by the athletics department, to include: internships, volunteer and part-time employment focused on career development.
• Commitment to Service - volunteering through MAGIC and on their own in the community (may or may not be career related). All hours considered are logged through the University of Minnesota system.
January 2015 Female MVG: Christie Clarke (swimming & diving)
Clarke, a senior swimmer from East Brunswick, N.J., holds an integral role in the upcoming Unlimited Dance Marathon, held March 28 at the Sports Pavilion. She is spearheading the Gopher student-athlete involvement of the event and has helped increase fundraising efforts under her leadership. Along with being a member of the student-athlete advisory committee, Clarke has logged over 190 hours of community service work during her Gopher tenure.
Q: You're on the Student-Athlete Advisory Executive Committee. How did that transpire and what is your role with SAAC?
Christie Clarke: It is honestly an honor to work with four other wonderful board members. I joined SAAC the second semester of my freshman year because one of my teammates encouraged me that it would be a wonderful opportunity. She was right. SAAC has got me more involved than ever at the University and has given me life changing opportunities. I am in charge of the Unlimited Dance Marathon group and have loved every minute of it. Unlimited started last year on SAAC with Chris Hawthorne and myself after taking a trip to Penn State and seeing what THON brought to their community. Without SAAC, Anissa Lightner andPeyton Owens III, events like Unlimited wouldn't be possible. I think it is important that all my teammates know what SAAC is all about. It has given me wonderful opportunities and I only want my teammates to experience things like the Big Ten SAAC conference as well.
Q: For those who don't know, what is Unlimited and how have you been involved?
CC: Unlimited is a 12 hour no sitting no sleeping event that is going to be held in the Sports Pavilion March 28. All of our proceeds throughout the year go to this event, which in terms goes to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. Last year we raised over $29,000 and our goal for this year is to beat that amount! The actual event will be held from noon to midnight and includes performances, a DJ, and families from the children's hospital as a day to celebrate all the hard work and money that we raised. It gives the students at the university a chance to interact with the kids from the hospital and see what all their hard work is going towards. Every school in the Big Ten made it a goal to have a dance marathon last year and so that is how Unlimited came about. It is a chance to bond the University of Minnesota students because everyone is allowed to come to the event with free admission, along with bonding the Big Ten schools together. Personally I love Unlimited because it is a day of celebration, and although a lot of hard work goes into planning the event, it is all worth it in the end.
Q: Now that you've had a year of experience with Unlimited, what can people expect in the second year?
CC: Year two of Unlimited will only be bigger and better. Year one was a learning experience and have already made some adjustments. For instance, last year the event was from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Mariucci Arena, this year the event will be from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Sports Pavilion. Although the event will only get better with time and as we raise more awareness, things are already falling into place more easily. The Unlimited Executive Committee has really bonded throughout the year and all understand that we are working towards the same goal and raise money for the children's a hospital. I don't want to give away too much for the day of the event, but rather have them experience it for themselves. However, I will say that there will be team performances, along with student group performances and families from the hospital coming to talk and even some give aways! So please take an hour out of your day and come support the Dance Marathon, who knows you may end up staying until the end for the big reveal of how much money we raised!
Players Mentioned
