By Scott Roblin

Rattlers program receives national community service award

Jun 12, 2019 | 12:48 PM

CALGARY, AB – The Medicine Hat College Rattlers have boasted for years about how generous their student-athletes are in giving back to the community, now they have the hardware to back it up.

On Tuesday night at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s annual hall of fame ceremony, the Rattlers program was honoured with the 2019 Community Service Award.

The award is presented to the collegiate program that has developed a community relations program and have gone above and beyond in volunteerism and supporting local initiatives.

In a statement, Ballard said although it didn’t come on the court or pitch, it’s a monumental award for the program.

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“Rattlers Athletics is very proud to accept this national level award; and believe strongly in developing student athletes academically, athletically and with a community mindset,” said Ballard. “Citizenship and giving back to the community is so vitally important in creating the community leaders of tomorrow.”

Close to 100 Rattlers student-athletes volunteered their time with local groups last year including the City of Medicine Hat, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Medicine Hat & District Food Bank, and Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.

According to MHC, these athletes put in more than 5,000 combined hours of service.

In the same statement, Rattler Athletics Leadership Initiative president and two-sport athlete Brady Resch said it’s recognition of years of hard work.

“After two years of being a part of the Rattler Athletics Leadership Initiative (RALI), we all couldn’t be happier that we received such an exceptional award,” said Resch. “Being able to be present in the Medicine Hat community has helped many Rattler athletes build strong relationships within the city, help better themselves, and strive to be the best community leaders that we can.

“It has helped all of us become who we are today, and shape who we will be in the future.”

Golfer Derek Whitson volunteered the most hours out of any Rattlers athlete this past season with 160 hours under his belt, followed by women’s soccer players Emily Weimer, Molly Marie, and Kassidy Suberlak at 72 hours, 60 hours, and 37 hours.

Men’s soccer goalkeeper Devin Simon also made the Rattlers top volunteer list, putting in 44 hours of volunteer work.