Cunningham Earns 2024 AAC Community Impact Award
July 12, 2024 | Baseball
IRVING, Texas – East Carolina's Carter Cunningham has been selected the 2024 recipient of the American Athletic Conference Community Impact Award as chosen by members of the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
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The award recognizes a student-athlete who has made an impact in either the surrounding or campus community through service work. One student-athlete or group from each American member institution is eligible for nomination each academic year.
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Cunningham spearheaded the creation of the Homers That Help Foundation which raises funds for the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital. In less than 24 hours, he secured sponsors for all 33 ECU home games who donated $300 upfront and an additional $100 for each home run hit in the contest. Cunningham himself also put up an amount for each home run he hit during the season. To date, the foundation has raised over $30,000 for the children's hospital. Cunningham and his teammates also took bi-weekly visits to the hospital to interact with and support patients and their families.
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In addition to founding Homers That Help, Cunningham rekindled the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at East Carolina. The organization provides a valuable support system for student-athletes, promoting fellowship and spiritual growth.
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Cunningham, who was tabbed to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® First Team earlier this month, earned his MBA back in May and finished his career with a 3.875 cumulative GPA.
The American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist led the Pirates in several categories, including batting average (.367), runs scored (77), hits (92) and home runs (17) while slotting 12th nationally in runs scored and 19th in hits. He was also one of three East Carolina players to start all 63 games this campaign. Cunningham was tabbed the AAC Player of the Week twice (Feb. 26 and April 29).
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All-Time AAC Community Impact Award Winners
2018-19: Stephen Sepcich, Baseball, Tulane
2019-20: Alexandra Wall, Swimming & Diving, Cincinnati
2020-21: Alexis Cheatum, Volleyball, Houston
2021-22: Jenica Baron, Bowling, Tulane
2022-23: Annabelle Corcoran, Swimming & Diving, SMU
2023-24: Carter Cunningham, Baseball, East Carolina
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The award recognizes a student-athlete who has made an impact in either the surrounding or campus community through service work. One student-athlete or group from each American member institution is eligible for nomination each academic year.
Â
Cunningham spearheaded the creation of the Homers That Help Foundation which raises funds for the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital. In less than 24 hours, he secured sponsors for all 33 ECU home games who donated $300 upfront and an additional $100 for each home run hit in the contest. Cunningham himself also put up an amount for each home run he hit during the season. To date, the foundation has raised over $30,000 for the children's hospital. Cunningham and his teammates also took bi-weekly visits to the hospital to interact with and support patients and their families.
Â
In addition to founding Homers That Help, Cunningham rekindled the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at East Carolina. The organization provides a valuable support system for student-athletes, promoting fellowship and spiritual growth.
Â
Cunningham, who was tabbed to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® First Team earlier this month, earned his MBA back in May and finished his career with a 3.875 cumulative GPA.
The American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist led the Pirates in several categories, including batting average (.367), runs scored (77), hits (92) and home runs (17) while slotting 12th nationally in runs scored and 19th in hits. He was also one of three East Carolina players to start all 63 games this campaign. Cunningham was tabbed the AAC Player of the Week twice (Feb. 26 and April 29).
Â
All-Time AAC Community Impact Award Winners
2018-19: Stephen Sepcich, Baseball, Tulane
2019-20: Alexandra Wall, Swimming & Diving, Cincinnati
2020-21: Alexis Cheatum, Volleyball, Houston
2021-22: Jenica Baron, Bowling, Tulane
2022-23: Annabelle Corcoran, Swimming & Diving, SMU
2023-24: Carter Cunningham, Baseball, East Carolina
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