Giving back to the community is a must – especially as a student athlete.

Any time you can get together with your team in the offseason is a blast, but what about helping the community out while you get to do it?

“We have offered to help clean up the neighborhood by picking up litter, any sort of trash, put the offer out to community members to help out,” said Duluth east head coach Blane Tetreault. “Maybe we’re moving appliances, old appliances or stacking wood, whatever they need, just a really goodwill offer to get out in the neighborhood and help out community members.”

The Duluth East football team was out and about on Sunday, as nearly 60 people came out to help more old appliances, pick up trash and litter, and stack firewood for their neighbors in Lakeside.

The community service is big for not only exposure though.

“It’s really important to get active in the community just so that people know what we’re all about,” said Anthony Carlson, a junior at Duluth East. “We can really establish our culture and have people be more encouraged to come see us and participate with stuff such as our games or our other events that we do.”

It’s also helpful just to build better people, and morph these young men into adults.

“The goal of our program is that we’re trying to build people a strong character who strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and the community,” said Tetreault. “An event like this goes a long ways towards building character and also being able to outreach to the community and build relationships with community members.”

With summer practices coming up next month, the Greyhounds feel more connected than ever, because of their willingness to come together in the offseason.

“It’s great to see the attendance and it kinda shows that our team is really well connected right now,” said Carlson. “I mean, I think we had close to 60 guys here right now and it’s really great to see everyone getting out and getting active.”