Leo’s Spring Fling Recap
PNW Athletics makes a night of fun and memories at Leo’s Spring Fling.
Purdue University Northwest’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a part of PNW Pride Athletics, serves part of its mission as a conduit between hardworking and outgoing student-athletes and the community members PNW serves.
Recently, SAAC and PNW Athletics hosted a special night for community members with disabilities with the “Leo’s Spring Fling” dance. Over 170 attendees joined student-athletes and coaches for dancing, games and family-friendly activities in PNW’s Fitness and Recreation Center.
“Getting to host this event helped bring together different community members to share in the joy and inclusiveness we provide at the university,” said Drake Ballard, a fourth-year Psychology major, PNW baseball player, and SAAC member. “You only saw smiles and the dance floor was packed the whole night.”
Ballard felt inspired to organize the event with his fellow student-athletes and PNW Athletics staff members based on his longtime involvement with individuals with disabilities in other organizations, such as Special Olympics.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping people with special needs,” said Ballard. “I love getting to work with these individuals and making connections with them helps make everyone’s day better. April is also Autism Awareness Month, so being able to share in spreading that awareness with others helps all of us become bigger people too.”
I love getting to work with these individuals and making connections with them helps make everyone’s day better.
PNW Athletics’ SAAC has also engaged with neighboring communities in other capacities during the 2024-25 academic year, such as its annual PNW staff basketball game benefitting the Make-a-Wish Foundation; collaboration with Edison Elementary School in Hammond to provide reading to second graders and mentoring to sixth graders; annual Trunk-or-Treat event; and participating in the City of Hammond’s holiday parades.
“Watching our athletes come together to host Leo’s Spring Fling was one of the most inspiring moments of the year,” said Natalie Jarrett, assistant athletic director for Student Success and Senior Woman Administrator. “It wasn’t just about dancing — it was about inclusion, joy and building a community where everyone felt safe and celebrated. We couldn’t be prouder of the leadership and compassion our student-athletes showed to our VIP guests who came out that night.”