Warm weather, face paintings, prizes getting raffled off throughout the morning and a two-mile walk available indoors or outdoors are just some of the activities that were available at the eighth annual Walk For Redhawks.

With the event growing in participation and popularity throughout the years, the location had to be changed from Houck Field House to the Student Recreation Center-North in order to provide an adequate amount of space.

The more spacious location led to an increased number of participants and fun for all involved, opportunities to win St.Louis Cardinals tickets, food and drinks to relieve any thoughts of hunger, in addition to consistent games of "Knockout" amongst student-athletes, youth and even Rowdy the Redhawk where memorable moments were made.

Information about Southeast Missouri State University athletics was posted along the trail of the walk and provided participants with accolades on and off the court for student-athletes of Southeast from this past year. One of the posts provided information about softball senior center fielder Kayla Fortner and her recent accomplishments such as leading the OVC in walks, slugging percentage and on-base percentage as of April 18.

Another sign along the trail read that 120 Southeast student-athletes made this past semester's Dean's List.

With the overall purpose of this walk being to provide financial and other forms of support for student-athletes throughout their college experience on and off-the field.

"It's an outstanding event for Southeast athletics, it's an opportunity for the community to be involved with our scholarship fund," Alnutt said. "What I mean when I say scholarship fund is to be able to have the opportunity for external giving that helps with scholarships that are opportunities to award deserving student-athletes but to also enhance our academic funds as it relates to summer school."

With support from a variety of local companies such as Beef O'Brady's, Burger King, El Sol, Isle Casino, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Bold Marketing, Jimmy Johns, River Eagle Distributing and Wings Etc., the turnout of the event was a success in a number of ways in the eyes of many.

Cindy Gannon, Southeast's senior associate director of athletics/senior women administrator, said that this is one of the largest events held annually to allow for connection between student-athletes, the community and Southeast as a whole. It also provides an opportunity for the sponsors to see first hand how their financial support is appreciated for helping the student-athletes.

"We have made some changes to the event, it used to be Walk for Women now we have changed it to Walk for Redhawks and we have changed the venue so we are now here in the Student Rec Center we used to be Houck Field House," Gannon said. "We have had some changes and as of right now it looks positive and we are very excited that we've had a great turnout."

The event also included President Kenneth W. Dobbins being provided a letterman jacket followed by a thank you speech by Dobbins that provided praise to all the sponsors, recreation services for hosting the event and the student- athletes for their assistance in the event.

Walk for Redhawks raised more than $50,000 in donations and with the great turnout even while weather tried to interfere with progress of the walk, there are plans for Southeast to continue this event annually for years to come.