BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Per an announcement from the conference office on Thursday morning, the FDU Knights are the recipient of the NEC's 2023-24 Building Communities Award. The award is given out annually as a means to recognize the institution which demonstrates the highest dedication to making an impact in the community.
FDU's student-athletes completed 5,578 hours of service that counted towards the award this past academic year. Overall, the Knights broke the 6,000 hour mark.
FDU has now won the award twice since its' inception in 2010-2011. The Knights last claimed the award in 2019-2020.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication our student-athletes showed to community service this year," said Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics
Bradford Hurlbut. "This achievement is a testament to their exemplary character and leadership, while also reflecting our commitment to the holistic experience we are striving to create at FDU. I look forward to seeing the continued impact that the Knights will have in the surrounding communities of Teaneck and Hackensack for years to come."
The Knights' dynamic Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) continued to be a prolific force on campus executing various service projects. Through the SAAC Canned Food Drive, FDU collected 1283 cans, the third-most in the NEC. FDU was also one of six departments that competed in the NEC Money Wars campaign, in which the Knights spread awareness for mental health by raising funds for Morgan's Message.
Other major service initiatives included; Helping Hands Food Pantry, Parkinson's Ping Pong, SAAC Food Drives, card making for local children's hospitals and nursing homes, campus cleanups, and women's shelter donations.
Several student-athletes also made an impact with young athletes in the community through their work with New Jersey District 6 Little League.
For more details on the Building Communities Award, read the full
NEC release.
FDU is home to 21 NCAA Division I teams. A member of the Northeast Conference, the Knights have had tremendous success in the classroom, in athletic competition as well as giving back to the Bergen County community. FDU became the first school in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to win championships in women's volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer in the same season (2022). In 2023, the Burgundy and Blue also became the first NEC school to win two games as a 16-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including an upset over top-seeded Purdue. As a result of its incredible 2022-23 season, FDU placed 92nd in the Learfield Director's Cup, the first NEC program to finish in the Top 100. Since 2019, FDU has won 13 conference titles across men's soccer, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's indoor track & field, women's bowling, women's golf, and women's volleyball. FDU student-athletes were also recognized for their efforts in the community by winning the NEC Building Communities Award with over 3,000 community service hours. In addition to recent championships, FDU holds five national championships, three in sport of women's fencing and two in women's bowling.
