Each week, the MIAA's featured writer David Boyce covers an intriguing story in the conference for a series called Boyce's Beat: Featured Stories of the MIAA.

This week David Boyce profiles the MIAA path of the Emporia State Student-Athlete Advisory Committe. Boyce highlights how the Hornet student-athletes give back and make an impact on the lives of the individuals in their community.

December 13, 2018-For graduate student Luke Stenzel, and many student-athletes like him at Emporia State and across the MIAA, giving back to their community is something they do throughout the school year and not just during the Christmas season of giving.

Five years ago, Stenzel arrived at Emporia State from De Soto, Kan., eager to compete in track and field and earn a bachelor's degree in business management. The fact that he has earned his undergraduate degree and owns the school record in the 600-yard dash prove he has succeeded in those areas.

But what doesn't show up in his bio is all the work he has done in the Emporia community that has made a difference in the lives of youths to senior citizens. He is not alone. Many other Emporia State student-athletes give their time to help make the lives of others a little better.

"It is a major part of our student-athlete experience at Emporia State," said Kristy Bayer, deputy director of athletics at Emporia State. "There is something to be said about teaching our student-athletes what it means to give back to our community.

"We feel that is a lifelong quality that they will take with them as they become contributors to society. That trait of giving back will stick with them as they leave Emporia State."

Almost from day one, Stenzel has been involved in community service at Emporia State. As a freshman, a couple of teammates told him about the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Throughout the NCAA, schools have SAAC and its mission is to is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

Stenzel learned there was an opening for a track and field representative on SAAC at Emporia State and decided to join as a freshman. He never left because of all the good things they were doing in the community.

One of the big projects each year is bringing in a child on campus through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The goal of Make-A-Wish is to provide a wish for a child who has a critical illness.

During the football and basketball season, Emporia State student-athletes help collect donations using various methods to raise money to bring in a child and give that person a day to remember.

"We once brought in a kid who was really into basketball and he got to shoot around with the team before the game," Stenzel said. "He went into the locker room. It was awesome."

Another project SAAC works on each year is a senior prom. It is a high school-type prom for senior citizens in Emporia. The student-athletes dance, talk and hang out with the senior citizens.

Both projects mean a lot to Stenzel.

"It is cool to see how much of a difference it makes, especially with a Make-A-Wish kid, by shooting baskets with them or hang out with them," Stenzel said. "Or an 80-year-old person who loves Emporia State, and we get to put a smile on their face. The senior prom, they look forward to it all year and they want to hang out with us. That is a pretty cool moment."

Emporia State student-athletes do many other things to help make the community better. Bayer said they work with many of the elementary schools in mentoring programs. They go to nursing homes.

"They love it," Bayer said. "I think our student-athletes get just as much or more out of the community service involvement as the children they work with. There is something rewarding about giving back and seeing a smile on kids' faces. You walk away with a great feeling."

Stenzel concurs.

"It definitely gives us perspective outside of being a student-athlete," he said. "It gives you a wider range and lets you know there is a lot more out there instead of just focusing in on yourself. There is always an opportunity to make somebody else's day."