NCAA DIII Week: Piedmont Hosts PAL Games for Local Elementary Schools

By Piedmont Athletic Communications

4/7/2025 1:10:00 PM

DEMOREST, Ga. - Once again, Piedmont University was proud to sponsor the PAL Games (Piedmont Athletic Lions Games), a special day of competition and camaraderie for students, staff and local elementary school students with special needs.

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the games returned in 2023 to great success and have continued for the last three years.

This year, the event took place on Thursday, March 21 inside Cave Arena to great success. The student led event was organized by Ann Sutton, the Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Development at Piedmont.

The PAL Games is always one of the most rewarding days of the year for our entire athletic department It is a tremendous opportunity for our group of student athletes, coaches and staff to give back and serve in our local community.

Jim Peeples, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Each elementary school student was paired up with a Piedmont ‘pal’ for the event. The activities included lacrosse, basketball, soccer, corn hole and minion bowling.

Piedmont athletics played a major role in the event, as Head Women's Soccer Coach Timmy McCormack provided live PA while Lindsay Dilbeck, an assistant professor in the health science department, led the always popular group dances.

The PAL Games are a fantastic chance for our student-athletes to interact with students who have special needs and greatly enjoy the opportunity to come be a Lion for the day. We have incredible student-athletes who want to affect the lives of those not only in their community back home but the community in which Piedmont resides as well. We are very grateful for the partnership with our local elementary schools that allows us to provide an experience that makes a two-way impact on both the elementary school students and our own students as well.

Timmy McCormack

Two Piedmont student athletes, Nathan Jacome from men's soccer and Sarah Row from women's tennis offered a special perspective on what the day meant to them.

It makes Piedmont an amazing environment to be in. Everybody coming together, to help out these kids and have an amazing day, it's great to see!

Nathan Jacome, Piedmont Men's Soccer

“It makes Piedmont an amazing environment.”

“Everybody coming together to help these kids and have an amazing day, it’s great to see!”

-Nathan Jacome, @PiedmontMSOC pic.twitter.com/RRQKTxX7P6
— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) April 7, 2025

The project continues a growing commitment from Piedmont students and athletes to both become and stay involved with the local community while making a difference in the lives of those around them. These students give back to the local schools and extend their love for sports and their educational studies.

“The best part of the day is seeing how big my pal’s heart is.”

“Just seeing how big his heart is has made a really big impact on me.”

Sarah Row, @PiedmontUTennis pic.twitter.com/1PQ5TqNEeb
— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) April 7, 2025

The best part of the day is seeing how big my pal's heart is. He cares so much for other people. He keeps giving the ball back to the next person in line without me asking. So just seeing how big his heart is has made a really big impact on me today.

Sarah Row, Piedmont Women's Tennis

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