By Brian Kalish
August 27, 2012
Stevens Point– This past weekend many football players volunteered at the United Way Duathelon. On Friday, August 24, approximately 15 SPASH sophomore football players helped to pick up bike racks from the YMCA and delivered the racks for participants of the event at Sentry Insurance. On Saturday, SPASH varsity football players helped to tear down and return the bike racks.
According to SPASH assistant football coach Chris Haka, who helped coordinate the event, SPASH football tries to be involved in community projects like these whenever possible.
“We did the same thing last year,” Haka said. ”We have a football leadership council and the kids have to apply to be on it. The kids who are selected are our leaders. There’s no extra prestige or anything like that, but they help take on a leadership role.”
Haka said SPASH football helped out two weeks ago with a cancer run that took place in Pfiffner Park. 57 players showed up to help set up tents for that event.
The SPASH football players have taken the responsibility for organizing volunteers for community events.
“We really put the onus on the kids to gather volunteers for these events,” Haka said. ”When it’s all said and done, I think the kids enjoy it. I think they have a good time. We try to do service projects whenever possible.”
SPASH football coaches Matt Heilman and Chad Jones helped out with supervising the players for the bike rack project.
