Thalia Petsis and Daniel Schmith Named to AE Helping Hands Team

BOSTON, Mass. – UMass Lowell junior Thalia Petsis (Toronto, Ont.) and sophomore Daniel Schmith (Bellingham, Mass.) were among 18 student-athletes from America East institutions named to the 2016 Helping Hands Team, as announced by the league Tuesday night. The honor recognizes a female and male student-athlete from each university for their dedication to bettering their communities through service.

"We are extremely proud of the initiative, hard work and selflessness shown by Thalia and Daniel," said Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student-Athlete Services Christine Smith. "They've made a positive impact on campus and throughout the local community."

Petsis has not only impressed on the field as a member of the women's soccer team, but also in the community throughout the past three years as a River Hawk. The Team IMPACT liaison will serve as the 2016-2017 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, after spending three years as a committee and board member. This year, the junior took a lead role in organizing the university's "Bowling for IMPACT" event, which yielded a $10,000 return for the program, in addition to being a board member on the "Santa Bash" committee, an event which raised $800 for the America Heart Association. Petsis is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance, while completing a minor in French.

Schmith, an entrepreneurship major, is the co-founder of a UMass Lowell difference makers campaign "Love of the Game." Love of the Game is a community outreach program which aims to integrate universities and people with physical and cognitive disabilities through sports activity. Schmith transformed the idea from a similar program he began in high school, now bringing it to UMass Lowell and the next level of athletics. The program has partnered with Best Buddies, Kids in Disability Sports, RaRa of Greater Lowell, Ironstone Farms, Campus Recreation Center at UMass Lowell, New England Paralyzed Veterans Association, as well as River Hawk student-athletes. The sophomore has brought a dream of his to life, all while competing as a member of the men's cross country and track and field team.

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.

Thalia Petsis and Daniel Schmith Named to AE Helping Hands Team

Players Mentioned

Thalia Petsis

Daniel Schmith

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