A year ago, the teams donated the proceeds from the contest in the Rock Bowl to the United Way. In 2009, presidents Jim Collins and Dr. Jeffrey Bullock decided on the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Eastern Iowa, a program provided by the Hillcrest Family Services in Dubuque that brings together adults and children in a mentoring relationship.

In a ceremony last week, captains and coaches of both teams presented the $2,000 check and a replica "Key to the City" to members of the Hillcrest Family Services staff and board - Anne Hedrick and Julie Johnson (pictured) - and a few of the children involved in the program.

Head coaches Stan Zweifel and Steve Osterberger cited the importance of these types of relationships with local groups and athletics teams and also the perspective on life it provides the current student-athletes on their rosters regarding philanthropy and community involvement. The staff with Big Brothers-Big Sisters were excited that they would now be able to sponsor no fewer than two more children as a result of the donation.