Published December 7, 2015
20 student athletes from ULM participated in the Big Whit 77 Foundation’s “Wish List”
project this past Thursday, which surprised 10 families in northeast Louisiana with
dinner and games at Chuck E. Cheese followed by a Christmas shopping spree at Toys
“R” Us. The foundation chose five families from Ouachita Parish and five families
from Lincoln Parish.
ULM track student Brice Chaney (right) with A'Marion
Dimmer (left)
The athletes were chosen through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a
group comprised of athletes from various sports who serve as the voice for student-athlete
issues on and off the field.
“The Big Whit foundation is a great organization and we hope to keep the partnership
going,” redshirt senior infielder and president of SAAC Josh Faciane said. This is
Faciane’s second straight year volunteering for the event.
SAAC provides a forum for student-athletes to present specific concerns and participate
in the formulation of policies within the department; promotes efficient communication
between student-athletes and the athletic administration; encourages more involvement
of the student-athlete in campus and community projects; helps build a sense of community
within the athletic department and all athletic teams; and contributes and builds
the Student-Athlete Life Skills Program.
Whit’s Warriors is a scholarship program for Ouachita and Lincoln parish high school
students which helps assist and provide mentorship for high school seniors who are
seeking financial assistance in getting a higher education and how to be leaders in
their classrooms and communities.
“It warmed my heart seeing the smiles on those kids’ faces,” said Will Daniels, a
member of the 2014 Whit’s Warriors. “It really makes me thankful for all that I was
blessed with.”
The event was facilitated by The Big Whit 77 Foundation and founded and sponsored
by Kirby-Orten-Guillot-Breaux and Associates from Merrill Lynch.
To learn more about the Big Whit 77 Foundation, visit bigwhit77.com.
ULM representatives by sport:
Baseball/Softball
Will Daniels
Josh Faciane
Faith Bohack
Cheyanne Lyon
Men’s Golf/Women’s Golf
Hogan Arey
Lesley Atkins
RaeChelle Leiken
Beach Volleyball/Volleyball
Claire Crossfield
Delaney Driver
Hope Pawlik
Hadley Swartz
Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Brice Chaney
LeBrun Nelson
Lane Perilloux
Andre Phillips
Jamel Sams
Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country
Tyionna Beauregard
Alexis Gordon
Rychlend Martin-Home
Brianna Reid
