The Plattsburgh State Athletics Department philosophy consists of three parts: athletic excellence, academic achievement and community service. The athletics department recognizes the outstanding support from the community and attempts to return the attention in positive ways. In addition to their success on the field, the Plattsburgh State baseball team embraces this three-pronged approach and is very active in the community.
2013 was no exception to the Cardinals' community service endeavours as the squad continued its long relationship with the North Country Down Syndrome Association. The Cardinals took part in the Buddy Walk for the 12th consecutive year to raise money that will help create a better awareness of people that have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
For the second straight year, the Cardinals teamed up with the Be The Match National Marrow Donor Program to honor the memory of former Plattsburgh State baseball player Brian Mehan. Mehan was a member of the Cardinals' team in 2006 and lost a corageous battle with cancer in 2008. On the day of their final regular season game, members of the team host an on-campus event to collect swabs for potential bone marrow donors. At the game, the Cardinals have created even more awareness about how people can help others suffering from debilitating blood and bone marrow cancers.
Additionally, the Cardinals are heavily involved with the youth in the greater Plattsburgh area as they host a yearly Pitch, Hit and Run clinic sponsored by the Clinton County Youth Bureau. They also assist the Morrisonville Family School Organization with many of its events throughout the year.
During the 2009-10 academic year alone, Cardinal Baseball participated in 22 events for 14 organizations. Team members raised nearly $3000 in support of such partners as Run for Jon, North Country Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Juvenile Diabetes Walk for a Cure, CROP Walk for Hunger, Alzheimer's Walk, Adopt-A-Friend for the Holidays, Hannah's Hope Fund, Adirondack Humane Society Pet Walk, and logged 614 man-hours.
