MIAMI (April 24, 2015) – FIU Athletics and its more than 400 student-athletes take great pride in their involvement in the community. This past year, the Panthers have been involved with the Chapman Partnership – an organization that provides comprehensive services to empower homeless residents to become self-sufficient.
 
"The involvement that our student-athletes have in the community is a credit to their character as tremendous individuals as well as leaders on our campus," FIU Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia said. "I am proud of each and every one of them and am thrilled that our association with a first-class organization like the Chapman Partnership can have such an impact on not only the individuals that our student-athletes are spending time with, but the student-athletes themselves. We look forward to continuing our involvement with the Chapman Partnership."
 
"This is a perfect example of giving back to the community," Chapman Partnership Board Member Roberto R Munoz said. "FIU Athletics and Chapman are a natural fit. Athletes are a great role model for everyone at every age. They inspire all of us to do more and provide much needed courage to go beyond one's physical and mental abilities. They inspire competition at every level and provide strength to those that watch them in action."
 
Over the past seven years, FIU Athletics has invited the Chapman Partnership to attend Panthers' home events. FIU Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development Liz Augustin worked with the Chapman Partnership as part of the department's community partners program.
 
"Chapman Partnership is such an important resource in our community," Augustin said. "We are happy to help in any way we can in accomplishing their mission."
 
This past year, FIU Athletics took it one step further, volunteering their time in addition to the community partners program.
 
The football team volunteered at Chapman's Runwild 5K Run/Walk at Zoo Miami on Feb. 14, while last summer the men's basketball team held a clinic at Chapman's Miami facility. 
 
The women's soccer team spent over a half-a-dozen mornings serving food at the Miami shelter.
 
"The team has been volunteering with the Chapman Partnership for two seasons now," Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt said. "Humanity is a driver. A smile, a thank you, or just the realization of knowing that they are providing help to sustain so many people's lives. It is a wonderful education outside of the classroom."
 
As the Spring semester winds down, one thing is certain. The Panthers work in the community continues on and their involvement the Chapman Partnership is an example of how FIU Athletics strives to be champions in the community. 
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.