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Lincoln Trail College student-athletes are learning about giving back by volunteering their time in the community. Teams have embraced having their athletes participate in a variety of different efforts in the community.
“If we want to build good leaders, we have to have them know that you do things without an expectation that you’ll get something in return,’ says Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Kevin Bowers. “What we’ve seen is that they end up getting back more than they realize and that snowballs into a great sense of inner satisfaction.”
Baseball players have been involved in many different things ranging from serving as instructors for the 4th-grade swimming program to helping put up Christmas lights to manning concessions stands at high school football games to helping with the annual Fraternal Order of Police Pancake Breakfast. Bowers says he often sees a transformation in his players when they help.
“Take the 4th-grade swim program. I’ve seen guys go into that who are kind of closed off and keep to themselves, but after helping, they really come out of their shell and become more open.”
The transformations aren’t always small either, says Bowers. “I think volunteering can really help people find their way in life. I’ve had guys change what they want to do for a career because of the seeds that were planted when they were volunteering. For example, I’ve probably had at least five guys decide that they want to be teachers after they helped out with the swim program.”
Men’s Basketball Coach Luke Stuckey says his players have formed some great relationships while helping out in the community. “It’s something I hear them talk about all the time. They find giving back to be very rewarding.”
Stuckey says one of the reasons he wants his players to volunteer is because the community does a lot to support the team and he wants his players to support the community that supports them. “We also want our players to know that there are things out there that are bigger than their sport.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by Women’s Basketball Coach Scott Sparks. “It’s important to see the impact that you can have. There are people that look up to our players because they are athletes. Volunteering can help keep you humble and remind you that the world doesn’t revolve around you.”
One of the things Sparks has had his players do since he started is going to the elementary schools and reading to kids. In addition to reading, they also deliver the kids a bag of goodies from Lincoln Trail College. His players also helped out at the Crawford County Air Show, at the Shrine Club Barbecue, and they regularly give time at the food pantry.
“We find that our players get a great sense of fulfillment when they give back and it also gives them a sense of the importance of hard work and dedication that translates in the classroom and on the court.”
Stuckey says that seeing the impact you can have on other people is a great way to learn leadership. He says he’s also had a good sense of buy-in from his players because he’s given them the freedom to decide how they give back. He says the players have enjoyed reading to the pre-K students on campus. They also regularly help with the Crawford County Nutrition on Weekends program. The team also worked with the Boy Scouts on their physical fitness circuit.
Bowers says in addition to developing leadership, the altruistic efforts of the athletes also help them mature. “What I’m most proud of is how our athletes are willing to help at a moment’s notice. They’re mature enough to know the importance of giving back and helping out. I’ve seen many of them be eager to help out without a second thought.”
