Emily Dayton selected as SCAC Character & Community Female 'Student-Athlete of the Week'

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - EMILY DAYTON OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, a sophomore center defender on the women's soccer team, has been selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Character & Community Female Student-Athlete-of-the-Week for the week ending Oct. 7, 2012.

Dayton, a native of Manasquan, N.J., has helped the Crusaders to three shutouts and a 9-6-0 overall mark for the 2012 season.

Not only has she excelled on the field, but recently Dayton and her family started a non-profit organization to help prevent teen suicide. The organization is called 'You Can NOT Be Replaced' and the group's mission is to remind teens of how special they truly are. 

In a letter on her website, Dayton says, "You never know what a simple act of kindness will do to make a difference; holding the door, saying thank you, sitting with someone who is alone, or even making eye contact while giving a simple smile. You don't know what they're feeling inside or what their story is, so smile and pass the bands; you will change someone's day."

The "bands" referenced by Dayton refer to rubber wrist bracelets that the organization offers to those who request them. Stamped with the organization's motto of "You Can NOT Be Replaced," those who receive and wear the bands are asked to "wear it until you see someone that you feel the band is supposed to be passed to: whether you know them or not. This could be tomorrow, next month or a year from now. You'll know when it's time."

"When you do pass it, tell the person something positive about them or life. That one small act of kindness will not ever be wasted and the band is replaceable but the person is not."

Dayton and her family promoted the organization through events in her hometown this past summer; events which included dinners and soccer tournaments.

For more information on "You Can NOT Be Replaced," visit the organization's website: youcannotbereplaced.com.

The SCAC's write-up on Dayton can be viewed on scacsports.com. 

About SCAC Character & Community: 

"The SCAC Character & Community award was created in 2009 to honor and recognize the efforts of the extraordinary student-athletes of the conference who not only excel athletically on the field, court, pool or track, but also by serving their campus and community."