- Men's Sports
Community Service
Blue Knights Help Local YMCA
URBANA, Ohio (September 14, 2009) - The Blue Knights are making headlines on the field this season, but it is off the field where they continue to make a difference. Led by senior co-captain Tariq Kalimullah, a group of Blue Knights football players recently helped the Urbana YMCA perform its annual equipment inspection and cleaning. Kalimullah, who is an employee at the YMCA, brought together his community service team, the Panthers, to move all of the heavy machinery for the big clean. After the equipment was cleared, cleaned and inspected, the brawny Blue Knights moved all of the equipment back into its place. Blue Knights participating in the community service project are pictured below, (Front: #4 Nigel Smith, 1st row left to right: #22 Maurice Wright, #32 Eric Gillespie, #43 David McComas, #94 Andrew Gage, #31 Alex McCurdy, #41 Matt Hausheer, 2nd Row left to right: #87 Tariq Kalimullah, #97 Anthony Dawson, #52 Alex Maxson, #54 Chris Dupree, #67 Colby Rush, #59 Adam Rood, #68 Bryce Stevenson, Top Row left to right: #89 A'Vaie Knox, #6 Diamond Hart, #15 Evan Gehlert)
Five Blue Knights Participate in "Knight Read"
URBANA, Ohio (March 27, 2009) - Several Urbana University student-athletes are getting involved in a community program promoting reading at area elementary schools. The program, called "Knight Read," was designed to encourage children at the 3rd grade level to enjoy reading. The Urbana University student-athletes are using the opportunity to reach out and give back to the local community, while having fun interacting with the kids in the process.
The Blue Knights have already visited the 3rd grade classes of Mechanicsburg Elementary and Urbana East Elementary. Dates in April are already in the works at Graham and West Liberty-Salem schools.
"I believe our student-athletes had as much fun as the elementary students," explained Urbana Head Volleyball Coach Wendy Cromer. Cromer is heavily involved with the program, traveling to the local schools with the student-athletes.
"This program was created to give our student-athletes an opportunity to give back to the community and promote reading, especially for boys in elementary."
The student-athletes also worked under the direction of Ann Corfman and Jan Dagger. Both were enthusiastic about getting involved with the program. Mrs. Corfman donated the books for each elementary.
The books are full of children's folktales. There are activities to go along with each story. After the Blue Knights present the story, they help the 3rd graders with the corresponding activities. Each elementary that participates in "Knight Read" receives an autographed book from the student-athletes.
Pictured in the top photo at Mechanicsburg Elementary are (from left to right): basketball player Harvey Stewart, football player Nigel Smith, and volleyball players Kalie Denton and Audree Castle.
Pictured in the middle photo at Mechanicsburg Elementary are (from left to right): swimmer/soccer player Megan Moser, basketball player Ryan Silvert, and football players Matt Hausheer and Troy Brookins.
Pictured in the bottom photo at Mechanicsburg Elementary are (from left to right): football players Diamond Hart and Evan Gehlert.
Blue Knights Lend First Christian Church a Helping Hand
by Ellen Sipp, Urbana Daily Citizen
URBANA, Ohio (March 4, 2009) - What started as a small, non-profit organization aimed at providing grocery relief 15 years ago in Georgia is now rapidly spreading across state lines. Angel Food Ministries is a non-denominational program that assists communities in 35 states with financial support - and some good food.
Urbana's First Christian Church is one of the many institutions that is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Angel Food program and on Feb. 21, volunteers had a little extra muscle to help with the many tasks to be done. A group of Urbana University football players were on hand to sort through and organize food items, unload trucks, clean up and move practically anything that stood in their way.
"They did it all cheerfully to the very end. We were finished and able to leave earlier than ever before with all of their help," said Bonnie Bowles, a member of First Christian for more than 20 years. Bowles has been active in many areas at the church and been a part of Angel Food since its inception locally last April.
"I know how busy these young men are, we all are, but to give up a Saturday morning that they could sleep in and arrive early was great. Not only did they bless us with their help but I think that they also came away with a sense of accomplishment that helping others can bring," she said.
[Click here to read the rest of the article on the Urbana Daily Citizen's website]
Blue Knights Commit to Community Service
URBANA, Ohio (February 17, 2009) - This offseason, the Urbana University football team is committed to improvement by working hard in the weight room and in the classroom. Today, 26 Blue Knights were named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for maintaining a GPA of 3.25 or higher this past semester. (A complete list can be viewed here), and on Sunday, several members of the Blue Knight football team brought that same commitment and hard work to the local community.
A group of 12 football players visited the Zion Baptist Church in Troy, Ohio (Hometown of Matt Allen, one of the Blue Knights newest National Signing Day recruits). The group of 12 served Sunday dinner to a large gathering of members. The Blue Knights were dressed in their uniforms as they helped set-up and tear down for the event.
The community service project was captained by juniors Tariq Kalimullah (pictured above left with sophomore Travis Brisco), Ian Iler and Josh Turner (pictured below). Said Kalimullah, "It was nice to interact with members of the community as a team. We did our best to help prepare and serve dinner. We just tried to help out wherever we were needed."
The other 9 members of the Blue Knights participating in this community service project are: Brisco, Daniel Haddix, Brandon Iler, Jon Kent, Boise Moon, Demetrius Perrin, Rodion Potapenko, Tyler Jonas and Alex Maxson (Pictured left, Jonas is #36, Maxson is #52).
The Blue Knights have divided into 6 separate "teams" this offseason, with each team planning their own community service project. Check the website over the next few weeks to see the other community service projects that the Blue Knights have been working on this offseason.
