BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort achieved success throughout the 2025–26 academic year in athletics, academics, and community service. The efforts of USCB student-athletes in serving the community helped the university earn the Peach Belt Conference's Connecting Communities Award.
During the academic year, USCB Athletics partnered with Real Champions, a local organization that serves at-risk youth and their families. Real Champions provides innovative mentoring and advocacy programs for children throughout the Lowcountry.
"Our partnership with USCB has been incredibly impactful for Real Champions and the youth we serve. Through their consistent involvement in sports events, tutoring and homework assistance, and engaging hands-on experiences, USCB has helped create a supportive and inspiring environment for our students. Their student-athletes and representatives serve as positive role models, encouraging both academic growth and personal development. This collaboration has not only strengthened our programming but has also built meaningful connections between our organizations and the community, leaving a lasting and positive impression on the youth we support." - Cierra Witter Jenkins, Regional Program Director
The goal of USCB Athletics' partnership with Real Champions is to make a positive impact by providing safe, fun environments where youth can connect with Sand Shark student-athletes. Every athletic program on campus contributed throughout the year by participating in Real Champions events and activities.
The work completed by USCB student-athletes extended beyond the involvement with Real Champions. In total, the Athletics Department recorded 1,915 hours of community service across 44 events during the academic year. Those efforts helped USCB earn its second consecutive Connecting Communities Award from the Peach Belt Conference.
Throughout the year, student-athletes participated in a variety of community service initiatives, including Pumpkin Unloading at Carteret Street United Methodist Church, Junk in the Trunk, Student Move-In, homework assistance programs, Middle School Meet events, Best Buddies activities, Real Champions Valentine's Day Crafts, community outreach programs, and Teacher Appreciation Card projects. USCB Athletics also hosted Real Champions Days at soccer practice and at men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball games, among other events.
Each event was led by Assistant Athletic Director for Life Skills and Community Engagement Alison Owen. Owen was also named a co-advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). SAAC members played a key role in designing, organizing, and facilitating many of the department's community service initiatives throughout the year.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
