TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University athletic department displayed a spirit of unity in volunteering for the annual Autism Speaks Walk this past weekend at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The Tigers embrace the understanding that community strength is powered by love and commitment.
 
Towson student-athletes representing men's lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's golf and football assisted event organizers by setting up tables, tents, chairs, carrying strollers down the steps, distributing pamphlets to event participants, moving trash cans, blowing bubbles, helping with parking and more. 
 
"I thought it was a special day," Towson volleyball head coach Don Metil said. "We had a lot of teams and coaches come together in a really distinct effort to show that we are a leader nationwide in regards to our community service efforts. To have so many coaches on our staff, not just in volleyball, but in our department to have a mission to address the Autism Speaks organization as a whole shows our efforts go above and beyond what we do on the court and the field as far as our commitment."
 
Metil along with men's basketball head coach Pat Skerry and women's basketball head coach Diane Richardson have kids on autism spectrum. That's one reason why autism awareness is personal for the Tigers.
 
Featuring the core values of trust, integrity, greatness, engagement, respect and student-first, volunteering for the Autism Speaks Walk demonstrates Towson's commitment to being a leader in campus and community engagement, which is one of the athletic department's strategic themes.
 
Towson's participation in this event was part of Towson's Total Tiger program, which takes a 360-degree view of the development of Tiger student-athletes.
 
Throughout the 2018-19 academic year, Towson has games, clinics and workshops planned designed to raise autism awareness.
 
Towson will celebrate autism weekend when the men's basketball team hosts Drexel on Saturday, Feb. 16 and the women's basketball team hosts the College of Charleston on Sunday, Feb. 17. Both games start at 2 p.m. The baseball team will meet UMBC on Wednesday, April 2 in its autism awareness game.
 
Towson will also partner with several campus departments to host its annual autism workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
 
"I personally have always worked with children with special needs at home," Towson women's golf sophomore Sarah Perine said. "I worked for a summer camp where we taught children with autism and Down syndrome how to play golf and taking them to play. It helped me learn so much about how important just being a part of those kids lives are. This is definitely an amazing cause. It makes me proud to be a Tiger that our school does such a good job supporting this cause and raising awareness for autism. I love being a part of it."
 
The Autism Speaks Walk is the world's largest autism fundraising event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. Powered by the love of parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives, and supporters, the funds raised help ensure people of all abilities have access to the tools needed to lead 'their best lives'. In addition to raising awareness about autism, the mission of the walk is to fuel innovative research and make connections to critical lifelong services for the autism community.
 
"This was a great opportunity to give back to our community and spread awareness about something that impacts us and our society," Towson men's basketball player Alex Thomas said. "One of the greatest joys and responsibilities that come with being a student-athlete is I have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions in the community. Spending my time and energy with people who have autism and helping brighten their day, even if it's a little, is something that brings joy to me."