Photo by: ©2026 Purdue University Fort Wayne
Photo by: ©2026 Purdue University Fort Wayne
SALT Named Student Organization of the Year
5/5/2026 3:27:00 PM | Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT)
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodon Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) was named Purdue University Fort Wayne's 2025-26 Student Organization of the Year, the university announced on April 27 at the annual Student Leader Awards Banquet.
SALT consists of two members from each Mastodon team. The group fulfills the responsibilities of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is on every NCAA campus, however SALT takes on additional initiatives.
The group organized multiple Reading with the 'Dons days where they read to students at Holy Cross School. They also exchanged pen pal letters with Holy Cross students during the school year. SALT organized the second annual Track or Treat, a Halloween event where each team and other groups on campus hosted candy stations for kids. SALT participated in the Clean the Greenway event and thanked first responders on September 11 with a visit to local fire stations to handout cupcakes.
SALT gave away donuts to students, but that wasn't their only food related activity. They held a holiday bake-off and a chili cook-off in the department. The group raised money for the Horizon League's Nothing But Net campaign and other causes through bake sales at home games.
The organization was actively involved in the coordination of student-athlete focused events like the Masty Awards and picnics to begin and end the academic year.
"I'm so proud of the commitment and buy-in from our SALT reps, officers and the athletic department as a whole," SALT president and women's soccer student-athlete Jenna Ellsworth said. "Because of all the helping hands, SALT was able to make an impact on not just the school but on the greater Fort Wayne community. I believe that this lasting impact was what led us to being recognized at the student org awards."
SALT Advisor and Associate Athletic Director for Mastodon Academic Performance Center Jason Baldwin was named the Student Organization Advisor of the year for his effort guiding SALT.
"A big thanks to everyone for such an impactful year-especially Jason Baldwin," Ellsworth continued. "Without his guidance and commitment to us as athletes in-and-out of competition we wouldn't be where we are at today!"
If you are interested in learning more about SALT's activities, follow @mastodonSALT on Instagram.
~ Feel The Rumble ~
SALT consists of two members from each Mastodon team. The group fulfills the responsibilities of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is on every NCAA campus, however SALT takes on additional initiatives.
The group organized multiple Reading with the 'Dons days where they read to students at Holy Cross School. They also exchanged pen pal letters with Holy Cross students during the school year. SALT organized the second annual Track or Treat, a Halloween event where each team and other groups on campus hosted candy stations for kids. SALT participated in the Clean the Greenway event and thanked first responders on September 11 with a visit to local fire stations to handout cupcakes.
SALT gave away donuts to students, but that wasn't their only food related activity. They held a holiday bake-off and a chili cook-off in the department. The group raised money for the Horizon League's Nothing But Net campaign and other causes through bake sales at home games.
The organization was actively involved in the coordination of student-athlete focused events like the Masty Awards and picnics to begin and end the academic year.
"I'm so proud of the commitment and buy-in from our SALT reps, officers and the athletic department as a whole," SALT president and women's soccer student-athlete Jenna Ellsworth said. "Because of all the helping hands, SALT was able to make an impact on not just the school but on the greater Fort Wayne community. I believe that this lasting impact was what led us to being recognized at the student org awards."
SALT Advisor and Associate Athletic Director for Mastodon Academic Performance Center Jason Baldwin was named the Student Organization Advisor of the year for his effort guiding SALT.
"A big thanks to everyone for such an impactful year-especially Jason Baldwin," Ellsworth continued. "Without his guidance and commitment to us as athletes in-and-out of competition we wouldn't be where we are at today!"
If you are interested in learning more about SALT's activities, follow @mastodonSALT on Instagram.
~ Feel The Rumble ~
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