As birds crow and lawn mowers blow, the football team cleans up the grounds of the church. Each school year, the Texas High football team participates in their community service project at Polly Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
In 2016, athletic director and head football coach Gerry Stanford started this tradition of completing a community service act once a year for his freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams, in order to teach his players about service and sportsmanship.
“Each year, usually following our inner squad scrimmage [at Watermelon Supper],” Stanford said. “We take our entire team and pick one community service act throughout the community that is needed.”
This year, the team cleaned a church that needed yardwork and housework done; they picked weeds, mowed the lawn, emptied out and painted the building. Offensive lineman Damien Chisum, steps into the season with a strong desire to support others.
“It feels good to give back to the community,” Chisum said. “People support us, so we come out and support them, and help them through their needs.”
Over the past years, the team’s community service projects consisted of cleaning up or moving things from churches and homes. Along with Chisum, defensive tackle Duncan McGhee participates in the service project, continuing the tradition.
“I think this is a good tradition to have,” McGhee said. “Out of all the traditions we have at Texas High, upholding this one is a good thing to do.”
While helping the community, these projects teach the athletes many valuable lessons that will help them not only in football, but in their lives.
“This helps the team learn that it’s much bigger than us,” Stanford said. “It’s an opportunity for the team to work together on something that is not football. We’re here to learn about life and how to serve other people.”
The players put in great work at the service projects, staying on task and giving their best effort, while understanding the responsibility given to them.
“Doing these projects teaches me to never forget where I came from,” McGhee said. “It also teaches me to always help people who are in need, no matter with time or money.”
