The men’s basketball team will soon be spending their Saturday’s on the court in ACU’s inaugural Div. I season, but last Saturday they helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity.
The Wildcats have a dozen new players entering the ACU fold this season. Head coach Joe Golding and his staff have used the new faces as an opportunity to build community with their players while also serving the community.
“I feel like it is good to give back,” junior guard Rafael Farley said. “Any time we can give back to someone who needs help that’s awesome. It is good to get out here together and do some hard work together and help the community all at the same time.”
Last Saturday, the ACU basketball team could be seen with shovels in hand, moving mulch while most students were sleeping.
The team just finished up their first week of practice that Friday, but the players are already bonding on and off the court.
“This is a great group of guys,” sophomore guard Parker Wentz said. “I think we are already bonding pretty well. Just getting to know these guys and getting to know their hearts and who they are as [people] has been awesome. Coach has been saying ‘change’ for a while and I think this group of guys is ready to do that.”
This is not the first time that the men’s basketball team has gotten involved in the Abilene community. Last month, the team distributed 150 meals to homeless and lower-income families with the help of Love and Care Ministries.
“This helps the community, which is awesome,” Wentz said. “I feel like it is going to put things in perspective for us. Basketball is just a game, but this is the kind of stuff that matters. It also helps us bond as a team, just getting to see each other outside of basketball.”
The men’s basketball team officially opens their season Nov. 9 against Duquesne University as part of an east coast swing that includes St. Bonaventure and Atlantic Coast Conference member, Maryland.
Freshman Chris Blakeley, guard from Richardson, chats up one of the kids at the worksite as the men's basketball team pairs up with Habitat for Humanity. (Optimist photo by Mandy Lambright)
