Thanks to Cover One International, an initiative founded by senior football player Billy Blaustein, Colorado College recently received the "Award of Merit" from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators for outstanding community service projects performed by the institution's student-athletes during the 2007-08 academic year.

Director of Athletics Ken Ralph accepted the award on behalf of Colorado College at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 17.

In addition to Blaustein, the Cover One team included sophomore Ericka Baer (women's soccer), Alina Ford (volleyball; chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), Max Green (football), Jocelyn Corbett, Jason Steiert (men's soccer), and Misael Fernandez (football).

Last summer, the group held instructional clinics to promote physical fitness through athletics and health seminars for females ages 15-25 at the Laguna Grande Escuela in the municipality of San Miguelito, located in the mountains of central Honduras.

Each member raised additional funds to help defray the costs of necessary items such as inoculations and vaccinations, as well as sports equipment and school supplies that were left behind.

Among the health issues Cover One addressed was protecting the kids from pesticides and toxic fumes from burning trash. The group also worked with women between the ages of 15 and 25 on sexual awareness and sexual education.

Cover One currently is on its second mission in Honduras, focusing on women's soccer and women's empowerment.