Colorado State University Athletics
All 103 CSU football players involved in service to community
3/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 30, 2010
By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State's football season doesn't end in the winter. The Rams work extremely hard during the offseason, in the weight room and on the field during spring practice.
And this offseason, the Rams added a new element to their offseason schedule: Quality time within the Northern Colorado community.
Every player on the CSU football roster, all 103 current student-athletes on campus, gave time back to the community in February and March. It's an annual structured initiative Head Coach Steve Fairchild began this spring, to ensure that the Rams are returning the support the Fort Collins and surrounding communities have given the team.
"I asked the entire team to be involved in some sort of community service," Fairchild said. "I know it's difficult to be a student as well as a Division I athlete, but I also know it's still important to give back.
"We're not going to stop here, either. I want us to be one of the most active football programs in the country with respect to work in the community. We'll do some other things at different times of the year."
Team advisor Johnny Square and director of football operations Tom Ehlers organized the first annual CSU football community initiative. All told, members of the football team made 10 appearances across Northern Colorado. To help structure the appearances, most featured a specific position group. Several upperclassmen took the lead in keeping their teammates accountable, and the Rams completed the very rewarding experience in time for the beginning of spring practice.
"Pastor Square and Tom were a big help in organizing this for us," Fairchild said. "They went to work at the beginning of this past semester to come up with some places in the area where our players could be effective in making a difference. I was very proud of the leadership many of our seniors and other players displayed."
Following is a list of the Rams' 10 community appearances this semester.
Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County (March 11, cornerbacks and safeties): Marcus Shaw, Brandon Owens, Momo Thomas, Dru Taylor, Jonathan Gaye, Ezra Thompson, DeAngelo Wilkinson, Immanuel Mitchell, Weston Richburg, Robbie Ford.
Boy and Girls Club of Larimer County (March 2, defensive linemen): Eugene Daniels, Cory Macon, Ty Whittier, C.J. James, Adam Seymore, Broderick Sargent, Zach Tiedgen.
At each of the two appearances, players helped members of the club with homework and reading, and also participated in the club's sports programs. The three Larimer County locations service 100-150 kids each day.
Lakeview Commons Assisted Living (Feb. 28, wide receivers): Jyrone Hickman, Matt Yemm, Byron Steele, Tyson Liggett, Marquise Law, Blake Swain, Chris Robinson, Vernon Scott, Alex Johnson, Michael Liss, several others.
On a Sunday afternoon, the Rams participated in the facility's social hour, meeting with the elderly residents and their families.
Foothills Gateway, (Feb. 27, defensive linemen): Guy Miller, Nuku Latu, Ben Tedford
Curtis Wilson, Te'Jay Brown.
Several players visited the adult-care services center, which has improved the lives of thousands of people with cognitive disabilities since 1972, to play video games such as Wii, put puzzles together, and in general, get to know some of the members and their families.
Respite Care, Inc. (Feb. 27, offensive linemen): Weston Richburg, Ryan Griffith, Jake Gdowski, Connor Smith, Paul Madsen, Scott Carter, Tyler McDermott, Justin Becker, Brandon Haynes, Mark Starr, Joe Caprioglio, Jordan Gragert, Josh Tashiro, Jared Biard.
The biggest players on the team spent an afternoon visiting with patients and their families serviced by Respite Care. The organization is a non-profit entity open 24 hours a day to help children with developmental disabilities and their families.
North Shore Health and Rehab Facility (Feb. 20, safeties): Scott Zick, Travis Ford, Dayton McMillan, Elijah-Blu Smith, Austin Gillmore, Alex Stratton, Beau Brittenham, Jarrad McKay, Ivory Herd, Dillon Holliam, Mike Orakpo.
Seniors (juniors, sophomores and freshmen) met senior citizens to spread goodwill, take some photos and share a few laughs on a Saturday afternoon.
Lemay Health and Rehab Facility (Feb. 20, specialists): Scott Albritton, Chad VanderMolen, Pete Kontodiakos, Ben DeLine, Hunter Blevins, Tanner Hedstrom, Luke Diehl.
CSU's kickers, punters and long-snappers brought smiles and a good time to elderly patients struggling to overcome surgeries and other health issues.
Hearts and Horses (Feb. 20, tight ends and fullbacks): Eric Peitz, Zac Pauga, Cameron Moss, Brennan Price, Jason Klingerman, Doug Richau, Cameron Bourdon, Joe McKay, Joe Brown, Akeelo Rhoden, Jameson Gann, Matt Weems, Ryan Murphy.
Players toured the Loveland facility, then helped to move and organize supplies into a new paddock. They also interacted with clients at the therapeutic riding center, which promotes physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being for people with special needs, through equine-assisted therapy.
Open Door Mission (February, running backs and quarterbacks): Mark Woodbury, Derek Good, Larson Greenfield, Lou Greenwood, Chris Nwoke, Amadeus Waters, Leonard Mason, John Mosure, Raymond Carter, M.J. McPeek, Klay Kubiak, T.J. Borcky, Nico Ranieri, Pete Thomas.
CSU's signal-callers and ball-carriers devoted a couple nights in February to prepare food and serve dinner to homeless individuals at the mission, in Old Town Fort Collins.
City of Fort Collins Recreation Department (Feb. 6, linebackers): Alex Williams, Ricky Brewer, James Skelton, Andy Clements, Davis Burl, Chris Gipson, Mychal Sisson, Luke Diehl, Michael Kawulok, Cam Loughery.
The Rams joined several Fort Collins kids at the city's annual Youth Sports Fundraiser and Football Bash, the day before the Super Bowl at The Edge Sports Center near I-25 and Mulberry. CSU's players interacted with kids, signed autographs and hung out with boys and girls in Grades 1-6.