news-record.com

Another Elon University athlete is trying to help earthquake victims in Haiti through a college sports community.

Jayson Judy is leading the mens golf team in a pledge drive called “Eagles for Haiti,” which asks sponsors to donate money to the Red Cross for every eagle scored this season by male golfers in the Southern Conference.
 

“It’s an added benefit to a player knowing that when he makes an eagle, it’s not just helping his team, he’s sending money to Haiti,” said Judy, a 2008 alum and MBA candidate who finishes his final season of NCAA eligibility this spring. Judy grew up in Gibsonville and graduated from Alamance Christian School in 2005.
 

The team’s goal is $100 for every eagle. After just a few days, the team had $20 of pledges for each eagle, through four corporate sponsors and 10 individuals. The Southern Conference has 12 full members and averages between 80 and 100 eagles each year, Judy said.
 

“Eagles for Haiti” joins another project under way by the baseball team. Senior catcher Mike Melillo started “Pinch Hit for Haiti,” challenging NCAA teams and their fans across the country to make donations to the Red Cross.
 

“This should mushroom into a pretty big amount,” Judy said. “My goal … is that Elon will be able to raise quite a bit of money.”
 

The fundraising efforts reflect Elon University’s emphasis on community service, Judy said. “Our golf team’s always looking for ways to help out others.”
For information on Eagles for Haiti, visit www.eaglesforhaiti.org or e-mail helpnow@eaglesforhaiti.org.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 373-7088 or jamie.kennedy @news-record.com