Monarchs in the Community
Climbing the Rankings
Every year the NCAA and Helper Helper collaborate to create a community service challenge for all Division I schools. Schools are evaluated on time donated and participation levels. While partnering with Helper Helper, ODU finished in the top 10 in community engagement hours served with a total of 7,645 and a participation level of 99% for the 2023-24 academic year. The Monarchs were 1 of 7 Sun Belt Conference Schools to finish in the Top 25 and 1 of 4 Sun Belt Teams to finish in the top 10. For the second year in a row ODU has placed 9th in the country for amount of time donated by student athletes. ODU's goal is to help student athletes cultivate a heart for service and create a habit of giving back to local communities. ODU Athletics strives not only to teach student athletes to serve our Hampton Roads area, but to become lifelong volunteers in every aspect of their life.
Hours Donated Over the Years
2024- 2025 Community Service Recap
24-25 Total community engagement hours served–11,046
Opens in a new window Crossroads Church needs volunteers for our Winter Shelter, where the homeless can stay, eat, and relax. Help out in the Kitchen (meal prep), Serving (distributing food), or Registration (guest check-in). Last year students put in more than 60 hours
Opens in a new window Student-athletes played bingo, interacted, and served food to residents at Union Mission. Last year students volunteered more than 200 hours
Opens in a new window ODU Athletics works with ODU alumni community relations for a fun interactive day surrounded around promoting higher education and building relationships in the community. Each semester student athletes visit a Norfolk elementary school for field day. A day filled of events, arts and crafts and athletes serve on a student panel for rising middle schoolers.
Opens in a new window ODU Athletics collaborates with Aid Another Organization to provide a prom event for young adults with disabilities. Aid Another is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing success of individuals with special needs by providing valuable vocational and educational opportunities. ODU Athletics is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families through this annual event.
Opens in a new window Student athletes worked at the men's and women's basketball games accepting toys donations from fans. They also wrapped all the gifts. The gifts went to Hourly and Classified Employees that work here at ODU. Put in more than 150 hours for this event.
Opens in a new window ODU student athletes dedicated over 50 hours and visited 10 elementary schools in the Hampton Roads area to discuss the importance of higher education and literacy. Read Across America is an initiative to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading among future scholars