Courtesy of Logan Smith, Walsh University Sports Information Director

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – Members of the Walsh University athletic teams used their day off of classes on Monday for Martin Luther King Day to give back to the community. A total of 167 student-athletes and coach volunteers accumulated 474.75 community services hours that day at nine different events.

As part of the University-wide day of service, Walsh University doubled the goal of 1,100 hours of service, with over 2,200 hours served by 470 volunteers. Twenty-two community projects were completed in one day. A total of 256 other Walsh University students, faculty and staff, community members.

“Although our teams volunteer all throughout the year, having one day that has so much impact on the community is great to be a part of, and it’s great to see so many of our student-athletes involved and enjoying serving the community,” said Sara Pratt, Athletic Compliance Officer and Senior Woman Administrator who helped organize the event.

“I think it’s an invaluable shared experience for the student-athletes to help others together and carry out Walsh University’s mission in the community. All student-athletes and coaches involved were enthusiastic and ready for the day of service, and special thanks to Assistant Football Coach John Fankhauser for organizing service locations for the whole football team.”

Community services sites included the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon, Louisville YMCA, North Canton YMCA, Stark Parks, Stark Fresh, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Our Lady of Peace Catholic School, Rose Lane Nursing Home, and St. Luke’s Assisted Living Community.

Football had a large contingent of participants as its members helped out at seven of the nine sites.

 At the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon, members of the men’s lacrosse and football teams supervised, led, and interacted with youth during various games, sports, and MLK Day educational activities. At both the North Canton and Louisville YMCA locations, football players and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also played games and interacted with the youth.

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams were involved with helping improve Stark County. The men’s soccer team built animal shelters for Stark County Parks while the women’s soccer team built park benches and bicycle racks.

At Big Brothers and Big Sisters, football and volleyball players took groups of “littles” on a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Football players also helped as they cleaned and organized the church and school facilities at Our Lady of Peace Catholic School, as well as playing games such as cards and bingo with residents of Rose Lane Nursing Home and St. Luke’s Assisted Living Community.

“Activities and involvement such as these are what Walsh student-athletes are all about as they showcase their mind, body, and spirit,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dale Howard. “Our students look forward to these events throughout the year and are always excited to participate.”