The Bakersfield College football team gives back to the community by volunteering at local elementary schools.Second graders and classes for special-needs children were put through a series of drills at Leo B. Hart Elementary School on Sept 26.
It has become somewhat of a tradition for the Renegades as they have been traveling and introducing children to the joy of football for the past 20 years. The team travels to different elementary schools on Fridays when a home game is scheduled.
BC head football coach Jeff Chudy said, “It’s a great chance for our guys to give back to the community.”
Hart principal Darryl Pope said, “The kids just love it. Our hope is that it is new and exciting because this could be the first experience the kids have with football.”
Defensive lineman Nygil Chambers, 27, looks forward to spending his time introducing children to football.”We want to make it fun for them,” said Chambers. Formerly from Long Beach, Chambers is no stranger to volunteer work. Just returning from his tour of duty in Iraq, Chambers, along with other Marines, would go to schools in Iraq to speak and work with the children there.
The Renegades value the importance of education just as much as playing football and serve as role models for the young students.
Defensive back Rafique McNeill,20, conveys the message to the children that “we are student athletes, but we are students first.”
Both criminal justice majors, McNeill and Chambers emphasize the value of education and have a strong desire to be positive role models for the children. “I want the kids to know they can fulfill their dreams, just as we are, but they have to stay in school,” said McNeill.
The Renegades set up a series of drills and obstacles teaching agility and working on footwork. It is similar to the drills actually performed during practices just of a lighter scale.
“It’s great to give them a little taste of what we do,” said McNeill.