Thursday, February 23, 2012
By Angelique McNaughton
Sometimes it just feels right to do something good for people other than yourself.
At least that’s what Fort Scott Community College linebacker coach Matt Glades said his father always taught him growing up. And now as a coach, he instills the same wisdom in his football players.
For their first community service project of the year, Glades enlisted the assistance of 31 offensive players to help tear up carpet in the sanctuary at Community Christian Church, 1919 Horton St., on Tuesday evening.
“(Head Football) Coach (Curtis Horton) was looking for some community service projects, and they said they would need help ripping up carpet,” Glades said. “I told them I had some kids that could help.”
A member of Community Christian Church since 2006, Glades said his goals were two-fold.
“It’s about getting them out and meeting the community,” Glades said. “And ultimately, I would like some of the guys to come back to church here.”
With the football season and recruiting period finished, FSCC coaches are looking for ways for their players to give back.
“The biggest thing is that we get stuck in our own little routine,” Horton said. “It’s important to get out in the community and show them we’ve got some hard workers and good guys.”
Besides, the guys like working together.
Fort Scott freshman Owen Jordan said one of his favorite aspects of Tuesday evening was the team building.
“We really have to communicate to get it done,” Jordan said.
And get it done they did.
In about 20 minutes, the ‘Hounds completely tore up the carpet of the sanctuary, revealing bare floor.
Tim Woodring, Community Christian minister of discipleship and involvement, said the job would have taken much longer without the players’ help. With their assistance, Woodring said they began installing the new carpet on Wednesday.
Working with many athletic teams from the college since he joined Community Christian Church in 2004, Woodring said this was the first time he had worked with the football team.
“It’s terrific,” Woodring said. “A lot of these kids are on scholarships and they are taking ownership of the community that they are in. Whether they go to the church or not, they are helping the people who are supporting them and paying for their education.”
Vantavious Williams, a sophomore from Georgia, said it doesn’t make one difference that he’s not from the area.
“They support us as if we are the hometown heroes; it’s a blessing from the Lord,” Williams said. “I think of it as giving back to the community that supports us at the games.”
After completing the work so fast and with the large open space of the sanctuary at their disposal, FSCC coaches decided to finish the community service by walking through some offensive plays.
“(We) always try to get a walk through whenever we can,” Horton said.
The coach said he plans to take the defensive players back to Community Christian to help remove carpet from the entrance as soon as possible.
On April 21, players are lending themselves to a “spring clean.”
For the project, the team is seeking 15 to 20 homes of elderly couples or widows who are unable to get outdoors and clean their yards.
For more information or if you or someone you know would be interested, contact Fort Scott Community College (620) 223-2700.
© Copyright 2012 Fort Scott Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Angelique McNaughton 