ATL Standard

For two decades, Georgia Tech student-athletes have found time during the hectic holiday period to ensure area children have toys for the holidays.

That will not change this year, said Leah Thomas, the assistant athletics director for student-athlete development.

“Currently, with COVID protocols in place, it has definitely limited their ability to get out in the community, but one of the projects that we are most proud of year after year is our annual Michael Isenhour Toy Drive,” Thomas told ATL Standard.

Leah Thomas | Georgia Tech

“This drive was founded 20 years ago (this year marks the 20th anniversary) by Michael Isenhour, a men’s basketball player that played in the early 2000s, who wanted to collect toys during the holiday season initially for children of 911 victims. Isenhour later that year lost his life to leukemia and our student-athletes carry on the annual toy drive in his name,” Thomas said.

The pandemic forced Georgia Tech to adapt, but the university never considered not playing Santa for area children, Thomas said.

“We had hoped to have a major drive this year, being the 20th anniversary, but because of COVID, were unable to collect toys at the gates of the final home football game of the season like normal,” she said. “Instead, we partnered with the Atlanta Children’s Shelter (who normally receives the majority of the toys and money we collect at the drive each year), and helped support their ‘Adopt-A-Family’ program. Georgia Tech Athletics adopted 25 families for this year’s holiday season to supply items on their wish lists so that they would be able to celebrate with gifts for their children.”

These families were either currently being serviced by the Atlanta Children’s Shelter (a day shelter for homeless children), or they represent other Atlanta area families struggling to make ends meet, and applied to be “adopted,” Thomas said.

“We are particularly proud of the effort this year, being the 20th year, and being that COVID put a lot of restrictions on our normal efforts, but we were still able to make an impact on our community,” she said.

Thomas said the toy drive is in keeping with the university’s goals and interests of the young people who attend classes and participate in athletics.

“Many of our volunteer efforts are centered around youth and how our student-athletes can impact Atlanta-area youth,” she said. “We have worked with several different organizations over the years, including Girls on the Run, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.”

The Georgia Tech football team is once again supporting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to raise funds for the fight against childhood cancer.

Head coach Geoff Collins pledged $10 for every “Money Down” stop — a tackle on third and fourth downs that prevents the opposition from getting a first down — or each time the Ramblin’ Wreck turns one into a first down on offense. 

“I’m happy and proud that we’re able to partner with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta again in 2020 through our season-long ‘Money Down’ benefit,” Collins said in a press release. “I hope that Georgia Tech fans everywhere will join me in pledging to support this great cause and cheering for great success for the Yellow Jackets on ‘Money Down!’”

Six Tech student-athletes received the ACC Top Six for Service awards for their community service and involvement in outreach programs.

Jahaziel Lee (football), Victoria Flores (women’s tennis), Rebecca Entrekin (women’s track and field), Alexandra Dorn (volleyball), Joonas Koski (men’s swimming) and Bria Matthews (women’s track and field) were honored for their efforts during the 2019-20 academic year

Lee and Dorn attended the Jackets Without Borders service trip to Puerto Rico last summer, as Koski and Matthews had in previous years.

Flores helped found the inaugural Big B Clothing Drive in 2019 in honor of the late Brandon Adams, with clothing donated to the Gateway Center in Atlanta. Adams, a Georgia Tech football player who died after an accidental fall, often donated items to the center.

Flores has also led a toiletries’ collection for those in area homeless shelters.

Entrekin has been a mainstay at the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive, while also participating in the Girls on the Run service events, helping with the Big C Clothing Drive and visiting area elementary schools to join students in after-school activities.

Koski is involved in numerous activities and serves as the community service sub-committee chair for Georgia Tech’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board. He participated on the first Jackets Without Borders service trip to Puerto Rico in 2018 and served as a strong supporter of Operation Teammate.

Matthews is also a Jackets Without Borders alumnae, assisted with the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive and has been involved in numerous other community outreach programs.

Matthews and Koski were honored by the Atlanta Area Council and Boy Scouts of America when named the 2020 Peach of an Athlete Top Male and Female Athletes.

The awards honor athletes from Georgia or attending a college or university in Georgia distinguishing themselves by character, scholastic achievement, academic excellence and community service. Ten are nominated, and two are selected. 

Thomas said Georgia Tech doesn’t set requirements for its student-athletes, simply because it doesn’t need to do so.

“We do not have any volunteer requirements, generally because we have never had to require our student-athletes to participate when opportunities come along,” she said. “Outside of some of our department-wide efforts, there are plenty of individuals and teams that volunteer on their own that go largely unrecognized.”