SE: K-State Gives Back to Houston Youth After Final Practice
Jan 03, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said that he loves the energy that the team has displayed this week as the Wildcats prepare to face LSU on Tuesday in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. The players' energy was apparent long after they completed practice Sunday at the indoor practice facility at the University of Houston.
That's when the fun really began.
Whether it was a young boy racing Bronson Massie in the 40-yard dash or a young girl smashing a tackling dummy, laughter and smiles filled the arena during a special event called DePelchin Field Day.
For children from the DePelchin Children's Center, which is an accredited foster care and adoption agency serving children and families in Texas, this was an opportunity to engage in some of the very drills that college football players execute on a regular basis. For players such as K-State sixth-year senior quarterback Skylar Thompson, it was a highlight event, and an opportunity to interact with children from DePelchin, which supports and sustains children and the families who care for them.
"That's a big job of my life and what I love about my job is giving back to little kids," Thompson said. "I was once a kid wanting to be a college quarterback. I was a little kid in their shoes dreaming to be that quarterback someday. To give back and spend time with kids like this and in an event like this is very special to me."
The field day featured five stations marked "Kick," "Pass," "Run," "Catch," and "Punt."
Players gathered in groups at each station and cheered as children competed in the events.
"It means a lot to us to come out here and give back," K-State linebacker Daniel Green said. "We're having a lot of fun with the kids. Some of them are really athletic. I just saw a kid run a 5.1 and that's fast for an 11-year-old."
The event marked the latest in community service efforts by the K-State Athletic Department and the K-State football program. Football players dedicate a portion of their time visiting Manhattan-area elementary schools, many players are active participants as mentors in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and many players also visit hospitals and retirement communities to bring joy to others.
In doing so, players feel a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment as well.
"It's great," Klieman said. "I love the community service that our kids are doing. Our guys have given back to their hometown communities and have given back to the city of Manhattan, and to be able to have these kids hang out with our players, it's fun to see these kids with a smile on their face having fun. Our players are engaged and are enjoying spending time with the kids."
Bill Scott has served as Chairman of the Texas Bowl Trophy Committee since 2006 and remembered when K-State faced Rutgers in the inaugural 2006 Texas Bowl. Scott stood at midfield with the TaxAct Texas Bowl trophy, where parents took photographs of their children and K-State players.
"This has been great each year for universities and for our DePelchin children who come out here to spend time with the players," Scott said. "The Kansas State players are really outgoing and taking time to spend with each of the families and are having some fun races with the kids. The kids have been all excited about it.
"The Kansas State players have been just tremendous."
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said that he loves the energy that the team has displayed this week as the Wildcats prepare to face LSU on Tuesday in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. The players' energy was apparent long after they completed practice Sunday at the indoor practice facility at the University of Houston.
That's when the fun really began.
Whether it was a young boy racing Bronson Massie in the 40-yard dash or a young girl smashing a tackling dummy, laughter and smiles filled the arena during a special event called DePelchin Field Day.
For children from the DePelchin Children's Center, which is an accredited foster care and adoption agency serving children and families in Texas, this was an opportunity to engage in some of the very drills that college football players execute on a regular basis. For players such as K-State sixth-year senior quarterback Skylar Thompson, it was a highlight event, and an opportunity to interact with children from DePelchin, which supports and sustains children and the families who care for them.
"That's a big job of my life and what I love about my job is giving back to little kids," Thompson said. "I was once a kid wanting to be a college quarterback. I was a little kid in their shoes dreaming to be that quarterback someday. To give back and spend time with kids like this and in an event like this is very special to me."
The field day featured five stations marked "Kick," "Pass," "Run," "Catch," and "Punt."
Players gathered in groups at each station and cheered as children competed in the events.
"It means a lot to us to come out here and give back," K-State linebacker Daniel Green said. "We're having a lot of fun with the kids. Some of them are really athletic. I just saw a kid run a 5.1 and that's fast for an 11-year-old."
The event marked the latest in community service efforts by the K-State Athletic Department and the K-State football program. Football players dedicate a portion of their time visiting Manhattan-area elementary schools, many players are active participants as mentors in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and many players also visit hospitals and retirement communities to bring joy to others.
In doing so, players feel a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment as well.
"It's great," Klieman said. "I love the community service that our kids are doing. Our guys have given back to their hometown communities and have given back to the city of Manhattan, and to be able to have these kids hang out with our players, it's fun to see these kids with a smile on their face having fun. Our players are engaged and are enjoying spending time with the kids."
Bill Scott has served as Chairman of the Texas Bowl Trophy Committee since 2006 and remembered when K-State faced Rutgers in the inaugural 2006 Texas Bowl. Scott stood at midfield with the TaxAct Texas Bowl trophy, where parents took photographs of their children and K-State players.
"This has been great each year for universities and for our DePelchin children who come out here to spend time with the players," Scott said. "The Kansas State players are really outgoing and taking time to spend with each of the families and are having some fun races with the kids. The kids have been all excited about it.
"The Kansas State players have been just tremendous."
Players Mentioned
K-State Men's Basketball | Postgame Press Conference at Colorado
Thursday, February 26
K-State Rowing | Media Day
Tuesday, February 24
K-State Rowing | Weights Practice
Tuesday, February 24
K-State Tennis | Weekend Recap vs Old Dominion & Minnesota
Tuesday, February 24
