Oakdale, N.Y. - Dowling Athletics and Keep Islip Clean got together for the 6th straight year this Friday, October 21st, to help clean up the surrounding community that Dowling calls home.

Over 300 student-athletes, coaches, and staff members spread out across the area around the Oakdale/Rudolph and Brookhaven Campuses, collecting trash, cleaning up parks and parking lots, and removing litter from roadways.  All Dowling teams participated during the day, lending a hand at locations such as the Ronkonkoma and Oakdale Train Stations as well as along Montauk Highway and Locust Avenue, among many other areas. 

In addition to picking up over 100 bags of trash during the day, members of the men's lacrosse team painted over graffiti at the Central Islip Train Station.

"Our student-athletes have embraced this initiative since we started it in 2006 and each year they continue to show their support." Said Dowling's Vice President for Athletics Rick Cole, Jr. "We hold many fundraising activities and have numerous initiatives involving the community throughout the year, but this one is special because it allows us to see the impact we have on the place we call 'home.'"

Along with the many student-athletes participating Friday morning, on-hand was Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan along with Councilman Gene Parrington.  KIC Executive Director Nancy Cochran and Commissioners Kay Erwood and Peggy Ruth also came out to help.  

Keep Islip Clean, founded in 1989, is a non-profit organization that focuses on the beautification of the Islip Township that encompasses the 18 hamlets.

Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.