May 12, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky track and field athletes Andrea Halasek-Richardson and Josh Nadzam have been named to the 2010 Southeastern Conference Community Service Team, announced by the league office Tuesday.
The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 20 league sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his community in superior service efforts.
Andrea Halasek-Richardson was honored by being named to the Community Service Team for the third time in her career, dating back to her sophomore season in 2007. Halasek-Richardson, a graduate student in the education department, showed the true testament of humility in her work with children at several elementary schools throughout the area, including being a mentor at Johnson Elementary, reading at Cassidy Elementary and volunteering at Lansdowne and Southern Elementary. The senior, although focused on children, branched out to other organizations in need of volunteers with a passion to serve, such as Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and the Wildcat Track Club.
“I feel everyone should help the community and I am just doing my part in the bigger picture,” Halasek-Richardson said. “As a student-athlete so many people look up to me and it is my goal to show them I appreciate that and want to give back. There are so many people in the community who are not as fortunate and I hope to give them the motivation, desire, and drive to demand more from life and work hard for that ambition.
In addition to philanthropy, Halasek-Richardson is an All-SEC Cross Country performer, a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and the school record holder in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Nadzam was named to the Community Service team for the first time in his career for his outstanding passion for serving others during the 2009-2010 season. As a junior, Nadzam is working toward a social work degree with a minor in sociology, showing proof of his aspirations to serve.
The Wildcat middle distance runner, showed a plethora of interests while volunteering at several organizations including the Catholic Action Center, Ronald McDonald House, Vacation Bible School at Calvary Baptist Church, Dixie Elementary and the Kentucky Refugee Ministry.
While spending time volunteering, Nadzam made time for school as well earning SEC Academic Honors in 2008 and 2009.
Both student-athletes will compete in the four-day SEC Championships beginning Thursday in Knoxville, Tenn.
