Football Team Spends Off Day in the Community

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University football team participated in a community service event at Flagstaff Junior Academy on the morning of August 11.

All-American cornerback K.J. Gerard was among the student-athletes who worked in reading groups with the younger kids while mentoring older kids on the importance of grades, setting goals, being positive and remaining drug free.

“It is fun to get out in the community,” said Gerard. “The little kids look up to you. They like to hang out with us and read. And they always have something funny to say.”

When Gerard was growing up he played soccer like most kids his age. He remembers to this day when he met players from the Arena League’s Los Angeles Splash team that visited and signed autographs with his soccer team. Says Gerard, “It is something I will never forget.”

Gerard tries to make that same impression on the kids in the Flagstaff community. As the feature subject of NAU’s marketing efforts for the football program, Gerard is very visible throughout town on the schedule cards and posters, carrying an added responsibility with his celebrity.

“We try to be very professional when we are in the community because we are role models for the kids to look up to,” said Gerard.

Gerard and his teammates also worked with the Flagstaff Youth Football Program at the Continental Little League Fields Monday afternoon. They spent practice directing kids through specific drills and discussing the importance of academics.

“Community outreach is a huge part of our program,” said Souers. “It is part of our social conduct program, emphasizing the importance of being a leader in the community and being a role model for young men. These activities give us a chance to interject and give something back. We take out as much as we put into it.”

Student-athletes, coaches and athletic department staff combined to volunteer more than 4,100 hours over the last academic year, assisting organizations like Flagstaff Junior Academy, the Humane Society and the Toys for Tots. In all, the department participated with more than 20 different organizations and/or events.