Geoff DeGroot and Kelly Freitas Named to AE Helping Hands Team
6/2/2015 9:00:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, General, Community Engagement
America East Press Release
BRETTON WOODS, N.H. – UMass Lowell senior Geoff DeGroot (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and junior Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) were among 18 student-athletes from America East institutions named to the 2015 Helping Hands Team. The honor recognizes a male and female student-athlete from each university for their dedication to bettering their communities through service.
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"Geoff and Kelly both played a big part in the community service projects that the SAAC held this past year," said Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services Kristi Stake. "In addition, both of them are leaders in our partnership with Team IMPACT, and are making such a difference in the lives of these young children."
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DeGroot, a captain on the baseball team, graduated this May with a 3.22 grade point average and degree in marketing, while also serving as the Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The River Hawks' center fielder and pitcher was also a Team IMPACT representative for his squad and took the lead on organizing the Bowling for IMPACT event in April.
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Freitas has not only been an integral part of the UMass Lowell field hockey team, but also a highly active member of the local community. She co-founded the "Playing for a Purpose" Field Hockey Jamboree in Manchester, N.H., an event that will be celebrating its fifth anniversary of raising awareness and funds for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. A SAAC officer and a Team IMPACT ambassador, Freitas volunteers yearly at a melanoma research fundraiser event in her hometown and will also be participating at the "Best of NH" event presented by New Hampshire Magazine this summer. The two-time America East Honor Roll selection has earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad recognition for the past three years, as well.
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The America East Helping Hands Award was established in 2013 to recognize a male and female student-athlete from each of the conference's nine institutions for their exemplary efforts in the area of community service while remaining in good academic standing. Each institution, at its' discretion, selects a male and female representative to be recognized annually by the America East Conference.
BRETTON WOODS, N.H. – UMass Lowell senior Geoff DeGroot (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and junior Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) were among 18 student-athletes from America East institutions named to the 2015 Helping Hands Team. The honor recognizes a male and female student-athlete from each university for their dedication to bettering their communities through service.
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"Geoff and Kelly both played a big part in the community service projects that the SAAC held this past year," said Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services Kristi Stake. "In addition, both of them are leaders in our partnership with Team IMPACT, and are making such a difference in the lives of these young children."
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DeGroot, a captain on the baseball team, graduated this May with a 3.22 grade point average and degree in marketing, while also serving as the Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The River Hawks' center fielder and pitcher was also a Team IMPACT representative for his squad and took the lead on organizing the Bowling for IMPACT event in April.
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Freitas has not only been an integral part of the UMass Lowell field hockey team, but also a highly active member of the local community. She co-founded the "Playing for a Purpose" Field Hockey Jamboree in Manchester, N.H., an event that will be celebrating its fifth anniversary of raising awareness and funds for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. A SAAC officer and a Team IMPACT ambassador, Freitas volunteers yearly at a melanoma research fundraiser event in her hometown and will also be participating at the "Best of NH" event presented by New Hampshire Magazine this summer. The two-time America East Honor Roll selection has earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad recognition for the past three years, as well.
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The America East Helping Hands Award was established in 2013 to recognize a male and female student-athlete from each of the conference's nine institutions for their exemplary efforts in the area of community service while remaining in good academic standing. Each institution, at its' discretion, selects a male and female representative to be recognized annually by the America East Conference.
Players Mentioned
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/ Baseball
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/ Field HockeySunday, September 27
Sunday, September 20
Friday, September 18
Sunday, September 13
