Sponsored by Nyberg’s ACE, Augustana University will once again host Ace’s Painting Party in the spring — an annual tradition that allows area community members to paint the ice at Midco Arena. But this year, the Augustana Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be at the helm.
Of course, there are plans for Ace the Augie Doggie to be at the party, but the event will provide an opportunity for Augustana’s student-athletes and the community to come together to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“We love getting involved with different initiatives and Make-A-Wish is a big initiative for us,” said Dr. Kimberly Miller, senior associate athletics director for compliance and senior woman administrator at AU.
The event is only one of many that SAAC organizes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in mind — each known as a Make-A-Wish Family Fun Day. Miller said that partnering with the organization has been a highlight for everyone involved, especially the foundation families.
“Anytime that we have an opportunity to partner with Make-A-Wish in order to allow those families to have a good time, take a mental break from everything that’s going on and just enjoy each other, we love to do it,” Miller said.
Miller said events like this also give the student-athletes an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community away from their everyday routine.
“Our student-athletes do a lot when it comes to competitions, preparation and academics,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to get some experience outside of athletics — to do things that they love.”
Maxwell Ramberg ‘27 is a special education and elementary education double major on the Viking Wrestling Team and serves as Augustana’s SAAC president. The Baldwin, Wisconsin, native said the event is important in getting young kids in the community involved and “keeping good athletes and good people coming to Augustana.”
“I think back to when I was younger, and I would look at all these college athletes and say, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re super cool,’” remembered Ramburg. “I really look forward to getting around the kids and letting them know we do super cool stuff and that we’re just people.”
But more than adding to AU’s good reputation, both Miller and Ramberg said the event may make an impact on someone’s life.
“I think it’s really powerful when young kids, whether they’re going through illness, stuff in their home life, or they’re just a big fan of athletics, I think it’s a really cool thing to just see them conversing with athletes,” Ramberg said.
“It’s more about just seeing the enjoyment of others and our student-athletes,” Miller added.
As part of its partnership with the NCAA, Augustana Athletics and SAAC have been helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant wishes since the organization began partnering with the NCAA nearly two decades ago. This year, they’ve raised more than $10,000, which would allow them to grant at least one wish to a child with a critical illness. With help from the community, Augustana hopes to raise $30,000 and continue to lead all of NCAA Division II in donations to the foundation.