CLEVELAND -- After hitting the 10,000 hour mark for community service for a sixth-straight year, the Towson University athletic department has been recognized as a finalist for the NACDA/Fiesta Bowl Community Service Award.

The announcement was made at the 53rd Annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of of Athletics (NACDA) Convention in Washington, D.C.

The winning institution will be announced at a later date. The winning institution will be awarded a trophy for permanent display, as well as a $10,000 donation to the charity of its choice. The two runners-up will also receive a trophy and each will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choosing.

"Community Service is at the core of what Towson Athletics is all about," said Tricia Turley Brandenburg, deputy director of athletics/SWA. "Our student-athletes, coaches and staff embrace and thrive within our community focused mission. Antwaine Smith, assistant athletic director for the Total Tiger Program, does a tremendous job ensuring our student-athletes embody this mission in a meaningful way that creates a life-long commitment to giving back. Being acknowledged as a finalist for the Fiesta Bowl Community Service Award is further affirmation of the great work our student-athletes are doing in the community."

The Community Service Award will be presented in the fall, at an on-campus event hosted by the winning institution. The award recognizes NACDA member institutions in Division I and honors exceptional athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA will help choose this year's award winner.

Towson Athletics has completed 12,975 hours of community service for the 2017-18 school year. This is the sixth consecutive year of achieving 10,000 or more hours of community service. The economic impact of the six consecutive years of community service has an estimated value of $1,339,000. One of the primary causes supported this year was Autism Awareness. Towson co-sponsored a "Focus on Autism" workshop with the College of Liberal Arts, Pathfinders Autism and the Office of Disability, where three head coaches who have children with autism of varying degrees shared their experience and journey in a panel discussion format. The workshop was held during the same week as a lead-up to the Men's Basketball Autism Awareness Game, which also featured a number of Autism Awareness organizations. The men's basketball team also hosted a free basketball clinic for members of the Hussman Center for Adults on campus, which serves autistic adults in the community.

About the Fiesta Bowl: The Fiesta Bowl's vision is to be a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans. As a nonprofit organization, it believes in the importance of community outreach and service. Through charitable giving, the organization strives to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that contribute to the success of communities through youth, sports and education. Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has worked to increase its footprint across the state and work to benefit Arizonans year-round, during and outside of bowl season. For more information about its local impact and how to get involved, visit FiestaBowl.org.

About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 53rd year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 15,700 college athletics administrators at more than 1,700 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.

Portions of this release have been borrowed from an article appearing on NCADA.com