Colorado State University Athletics
Rams complete second tier of community service initiative
8/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2010
By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State's football team is believed to be one of the only, if not the only, program in the nation that involves 100 percent of its players in community service.
And not just once during the year.
 Receivers Matt Yemm, Michael Liss, Marquise Law and Tyson Liggett pose with Linton Elementary students while at an outreach event this past summer.  |
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Every calendar year, every player on the CSU roster will make at least three appearances in the community, including the latest round, completed by the Rams over the summer prior to the beginning of fall practice Aug. 5. Round 1 was in the spring and Round 3 will take place every year during the team's bye week. Because CSU doesn't have a bye week in 2010, the Rams will schedule their third community appearances after the regular season.
"I want our players to think about something other than themselves on a daily basis," said Head Coach Steve Fairchild, whose team likely devotes collectively the most community-service hours in the nation every year. "We're installing a giving-back mentality. I want our players realize how fortunate they are."
In 2010, the second round of community service focused on schools. The third round will focus on hospitals and those needing medical assistance. Leaders in every position group on the roster are responsible for making sure their teammates at that position are accountable in making each appearance.
Following is a list of the Rams' community appearances at four locations, where they worked with kids from Fort Collins schools over the summer:
Bacon Elementary (June 7-July 2, linebackers, tight ends and fullbacks): Ricky Brewer, Joe Brown, Jameson Gann, Austin Gillmore, Chris Gipson, Michael Kawulok, Jason Klingerman, Joe McKay, Cameron Moss, Mike Orakpo, Zac Pauga, Eric Peitz, Mychal Sisson, James Skelton, Matt Weems, Alex Williams.
CSU players read with struggling kids in Grades K-5.
Lincoln Middle School (June 2-18, quarterbacks and running backs): Raymond Carter, Derek Good, Klay Kubiak, Leonard Mason, M.J. McPeek, John Mosure, Chris Nwoke, Nico Ranieri, Pete Thomas, Mark Woodbury, Amadeus Waters.
The Rams helped with organized sports at a summer camp for low-income students.
Tavelli Elementary (mid-July, defensive backs, defensive line and specialists): Scott Albritton, Hunter Blevins, Beau Brittenham, Te'Jay Brown, Davis Burl, Eugene Daniels, Ben DeLine, Robbie Ford, Travis Ford, Tanner Hedstrom, Ivory Herd, C.J. James, Pete Kontodiakos, Nuku Latu, Jarrad McKay, Guy Miller, Immanuel Mitchell, Broderick Sargent, Adam Seymore, Marcus Shaw, Elijah-Blu Smith, Ben Tedford, Momo Thomas, Ezra Thompson, Zach Tiedgen, Chad VanderMolen, Ty Whittier, DeAngelo Wilkinson, Curtis Wilson, Scott Zick.
The players read with students reading below grade level, during summer school.
Linton Elementary (June-July, wide receivers and offensive line): Justin Becker, Jared Biard, T.J. Borcky, Joe Caprioglio, Scott Carter, Jake Gdowski, Jordan Gragert, Lou Greenwood, Ryan Griffith, Brandon Haynes, Marquise Law, Tyson Liggett, Michael Liss, Paul Madsen, Tyler McDermott, Weston Richburg, Connor Smith, Mark Starr, Byron Steele, Josh Tashiro, Matt Yemm.
The linemen and receivers worked staffed a clubhouse in the Harmony Trailer Park, frequented by kids who attend nearby Linton and engaged in activities to encourage the kids to stay involved during the summer. The clubhouse project is a partnership between Linton, the Food Bank of Larimer County, Fort Collins Recreation and The Vineyard church.
Following is a list of the Rams' 10 community appearances during the spring 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.
