Men and women athletes from 16 teams competing in the National Christian College Athletic Association Basketball Championship participated in local service projects Tuesday. The championship games are today through Saturday at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace College. Women’s teams that participated in projects were from Roberts Wesleyan College, Bethesda College, Oklahoma Baptist University, Colorado Christian University, Northwestern College, Emmanuel College, Bluefield College and Point University. Men’s teams that participated in projects were from Ohio Christian, Southwestern Christian, Alice Lloyd College, Central Christian College, Emmanuel College, Trinity International University, Bluefield College and Grace College. Projects Tuesday morning were at Miller’s Merry Manor, Salvation Army, Heartline Pregnancy Center, Kiddie Kollege, Combined Community Services and Lincoln, Jefferson and Madison elementary schools. Afternoon locations included Leesburg, Eisenhower, Harrison, Washington and Claypool elementary schools. Other locations were Warsaw Christian School, Grace Village and Lakeland Christian Academy. Jim Kessler, Grace men’s basketball coach, said there were 14 players at Madison Tuesday morning. “There is more to basketball than just playing the game. We like for our men to realize they can become role models and should be good examples,” Kessler said. “God’s love compels us to give back, reach out and show his love for others through whatever means we have.” Grace players said they enjoyed spending time with the students. They had lunch with the students and played basketball at recess. Mike Warren, sophomore social studies education major, said “I loved spending time with the students and showing them what I do.” Caleb Featherston, senior business and marketing major, said it is rewarding to serve. “The kids look up to us and it is a good opportunity for us to get out here and be in the local school and spend time with the kids,” he said. Kyle Fillman, senior business and marketing major, said it was a good outreach opportunity. “It’s a good opportunity for us to interact with the kids and put a smile on their face,” Fillman said. Logan Irwin, senior marketing major, said it is good to be an example for the students and have the opportunity to interact with them. Renee Parker, first-grade teacher at Madison, said the students love to interact with the athletes. “They love seeing the bigger kids, as they call them, and interacting with them is a positive experience,” Parker said. Bethesda University had 17 female athletes who completed service projects, including assisting with physical education and math classes at Eisenhower. Aysia Randall, a senior early childhood education major, said she enjoyed interacting with the students. “I want to go into basketball training for younger kids and I enjoy helping them,” Randall said. There were 16 men’s players from Alice Lloyd College at Grace Village Retirement Village. They did landscape work by moving pea gravel. Cody Stumbo, senior physical education major, said it is a good experience to participate in community service projects. Amy Gormaly, Grace Village landscaper, said when there is heavy rain the pea gravel becomes loose. She said she was thankful to have the athlete’s help.
