HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The Peach Belt Conference presented the 2023-24 Peach Belt Conference Connecting Communities Award to Columbus State University on Tuesday night at the league's annual awards dinner in Hilton Head.

The award is presented annually to the PBC member institution who embraces the NCAA Division II core value of community engagement; bringing the institution and local community together. The Connecting Communities Award is the first for Columbus State.

In the spring of 2023, the Columbus State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) began playing basketball with athletes who have special needs. The event went so well, the SAAC explored ways of expanding the program. This led to a collaboration with TopSoccer, a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes (ages 4 to 19) with disabilities.

Over four events in the spring of 2024, the CSU SAAC hosted TopSoccer athletes. The events were so successful, a second session was created each day to accommodate more participants.

Click here to see a full list of the 2023-24 CSU SAAC Leadership Team and Representatives.