AIKEN, S.C. – USCA's "A Night In Wonderland" event placed third after recently being announced as an Award of Excellence finalist.

Organized by the athletics department and SAAC, the semi-formal prom celebrated students from the USCA LIFE program, which is designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and their guests.

"Each attendee got to go down the red carpet, get their picture taken and were cheered on by all the student-athletes that were there," said Jaclin Poole, senior woman administrator and head softball coach. "When the event all came together and that moment went smoothly, I thought that we did something really special. I'm glad we were able to do it. That night felt like one they will remember for a really long time."  

The event featured 31 participants from the program, each paired with a student-athlete for the evening. The prom was supported by a total of 133 student-athletes, 30 athletics staff members, and a number of community volunteers. The Convocation Center was transformed into a ballroom with music, games, crafts and karaoke, with added sensory and respite rooms to ensure comfort and accessibility.

Walsh placed first while Johnson C. Smith placed second. The winner is selected annually by the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee based on initiatives from the previous year that embody the Division II philosophy, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership. Walsh received $3,000 to use toward future community engagement efforts. JCSU was awarded $1,750 while USCA was awarded $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.

Interview With Jaclin Poole

NCAA Story