The Sports Management Association (SMA) recently presented a check for more than $3,000 towards the America’s WETLAND Foundation (AWF).
The check was given in a presentation at the Hyatt Hotel in New Orleans with Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Chairman of the Board, R. King Milling. The Southeastern group held the first LA Blue Crab Run 5K on Southeastern’s campus, raising money that would benefit wetlands restoration and research.
“We decided to come up with the idea of a 5K because our organization is about sports and we wanted to incorporate a good cause with a sporting event,” said SMA President Blake Borgstede.
Other than wanting to help a good cause, both Borgstede and race director Johnny Braud feel that something should be done to preserve and grow Louisiana’s wetlands before they disappear.  
“We chose the Wetland Foundation because myself and the race director, Johnny Braud, grew up fishing a lot on south Louisiana’s coast,” said Borgstede. “We wanted to help gain those wetlands back from our childhood because much of what we used to know is there no more.”
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Louisiana has lost 25 percent of its wetlands from 1932 to 2010. Using data from 1985 to 2010, wetlands are lost at about the size of a football field per hour if kept at a constant rate.   
The LA Blue Crab Run 5K was held in April, with a 1 mile run and 5K going through Southeastern’s campus. While at the race, attendees could take pictures with players from the New Orleans Voodoo or simply listen to music provided by 90.9 KSLU.
There are not any other donations at this time, but a 2nd Annual LA Blue Crab Run is being planned.
The SMA is a campus organization that welcomes students from all majors. The group uses sports as a platform to raise awareness and raise funds for helpful causes.
“The Sport Management Association or SMA, is an organization on campus not limited to just Sport Management majors,” said Borgstede. “It’s for anyone who has an interest in sports and wants to help out the community through fundraisers, fun sporting events and community service events such as the 5K run.”
For more information on the SMA, contact Borgstede at [email protected] or the faculty advisor Dr. Ashley Bowers at [email protected]. For more information on the AWF, visit their website at www.americaswetland.com.