Community Restore
It becomes apparent when a collegiate athlete fails to meet certain standards set by their team, but in some cases, they may not get enough credit for their positive actions.
Nevermind any academic or personal conduct issues the athletic department has dealt with recently. Ten freshmen football players gave two hours of their time Monday to help build a restricted view swing-gate steel fence and clean up an area in the back of the Habitat For Humanity Restore on Pickard Road.
Assistant Director of Athletics and Academic Services Tera Albrecht said the players are required to do a certain amount of community work to satisfy their FYE class requirements. The NCAA recently made it mandatory for athletes to take six credits in the summer if they wish to participate in summer conditioning with their team, and the FYE class is often taken by athletes in the summer.
Regardless that it is required for class, redshirt freshman quarterback A.J. Westendorp, from Holland, believes it is important to be a part of the community.
"I think it's huge for people out in the community to see football players working," he said. "It's great to give back to people, especially those that need housing. I'm blessed to have free housing at Central."
Westendorp said he's volunteered to work with the Habitat For Humanity more than the required amount.
"To whom much is given, much is expected," he said. "It's serving, and that's a lot more important than serving yourself."
Rodriguez, who resides in Miami, Fla., has also volunteered his time more than the required amount.
"It's always good to give back to the community," he said.
Rodriguez said the family atmosphere that brought him to CMU goes outside of just the football team.
"(The community) supports us really well here," he said. "That's why I came here. The family atmosphere here is just phenomenal."
Dan Peterson, supervisor at the Habitat For Humanity Restore, said he appreciates all the help the players give him.
"It saves us hundreds of hours. They work their ass off," he said.
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