 Being
a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota Duluth means more than just academics
and sports. It's about learning some of life's simple lessons, such as it is always
better to give than to receive. Community service work has been a focal point
of Bulldog athletics almost since its inception. UMD student-athletes, as well
as coaches and staff, continuously seek opportunities to volunteer their time
and reciprocate the support that Duluth and the surrounding communities has generously
given Bulldog athletics for the past seven decades.
The Bulldogs have been
involved in countless charitable projects, including Adopt-A-Highway, City of Duluth Clean-Up Project, American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Toys for Tots, The Teddy Bear Toss, Buddy Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Jump for Heart, Lion’s Club Pancake Day, Adopt-A-School, Kid’s Fest, Mentor Duluth Appreciation Night, Daffodil Days (American Cancer Society), the Grant Elementary School Reading Partners program, and YMCA Kid’s Day. UMD student-athletes have also volunteered at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Duluth, the Damiano Center, the Youth In Action group, and the Salvation Army Gift Wrapping Booth, various elementary school/youth clinics, carnivals,
parties, dinners and hospital visits.
 The UMD athletic department
is committed to providing the Duluth, Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern
Wisconsin communities with the time, effort and enthusiasm of close to 450 student-athletes,
coaches, staff, and even Champ the Bulldog. If the Bulldogs
can help your organization or school in any way, please contact the UMD Athletic
Department at (218) 726-8168.
KNUDSEN RECEIVES 2006-07 SHJON PODEIN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
All-North Central Confence offensive lineman Mark Knudsen (below left) was bestowed with the 2006-07 Shjon Podein Community Service Award, which has been presented annually since 2003 to a UMD student-athlete who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the field of play and has made noteworthy humanitarian contributions in the Duluth and UMD communities. Over the past five years (he was redshirted as a freshman in 2002-03), the Muskego, Wis., native was involved in a plethora of volunteering endeavors. Those included extensive stints with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (as an advisor at Duluth East High School) and the Duluth Boy's and Girl's Club. He also volunteered at the Hermantown Community Church, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and the Duluth Kid's Connection Program and devoted time reading to children and assisting with carnivals at three Duluth elementary schools. Knudsen graduated in May with a degree in physical and health education.
The award is named in honor of Shjon Podein, a former Bulldog hockey player and the 2000-01 winner of the National Hockey League's King Clancy Award (community service). Recognized as one of the most charitable and compassionate figures in professional sports, Podein, an 11-year NHL veteran, oversees the Shjon Podein Children's Foundation and will be inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame this September.
Shjon Podein Community Service Award Recipients
2006-07 Mark Knudsen (Football - Muskego, Wis.)
2005-06 Laura Sylvester (Basketball - Alborn, Minn.)
2004-05 Dayna Groom (Softball - Jordan, Minn.)
2003-04 Matt Williams (Basketball - Saginaw, Minn.)
2002-03 Heather Hamilton (Track and Field - St. Paul, Minn.)
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