Ohio Wesleyan Football Community Service

Community service is a way to bring people and communities together. Whether it’s volunteering with a church group, organization, or independently, giving back to your community helps build relationships while also providing a better understanding of what others may be going through.

Ohio Wesleyan’s football team has a long-standing tradition of involvement in a variety of community service events, including programs like 2nd & 7 and Common Grounds. The head coach of the football program, Tom Watts, has made partnering with these organizations a cornerstone of his team’s goal to develop athletes beyond just the football field. 

“It’s important to give back to a community that supports us, and it’s an opportunity to help others who may not be as fortunate as we are.  Kindness and service to others should be something all our guys strive to show.”

Coach Watts’ emphasis on kindness and service builds on the idea of giving back to one’s community. He explains that it is important for his players to understand how fortunate they are and recognize that someone likely helped them along the way to get where they are today. Volunteering is simply his way of making sure his players pay it forward. 

“People need others to succeed, and football is the ultimate TEAM game, so it goes hand in hand (service to others and the game we all love).”

These opportunities not only give players the chance to give back to a community that has supported them for years, but they also encourage players to develop communication, sacrifice, and teamwork attributes that are essential to building a successful football program. 

Players can participate in volunteering at the Common Grounds Free Store. Common Grounds is a store that aims to help those in need by providing warmth, clothing, housewares, and meals. The store is designed to give individuals a chance to be seen and feel valued at a time when many feel overlooked. Will Kepple, a sophomore tight end for the football team, has regularly taken the chance to volunteer with Common Grounds.

“While being at Common Grounds, I’ve learned ways to help people in need that I’ve never even thought about. I’ve also learned what it’s like to be a team in a job-like environment, as I am taught how to work with other strangers to complete a common goal of helping those in need.”

The most important lessons surrounding the football team’s commitment to volunteering center on giving back, promoting teamwork, and improving communication with others. While these goals reflect the team’s mission to serve the community that supports them, these experiences also provide a unique opportunity for players to develop skills and life lessons that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.