A snow day turned into a community service opportunity for Quaker Valley High School football players.
The district was closed Jan. 26 following a winter storm that brought about a foot of snow to the area.
Off-season workouts that were expected to start that week also were canceled.
Coach Thomas Eshenbaugh found a way to use the winter weather to create a team-bonding exercise and encouraged students to clear some sidewalks and driveways in district neighborhoods.
“Overall, we had more than 10 players head out to assist the community,” said the second-year head coach. “Since our workout was canceled due to the weather, I challenged the team to finish shoveling their own homes and then go help a neighbor or two — especially those who might not be able to do it themselves. I am very happy with the turnout for such a last-minute request. It is always great to give back to the community that supports us.”
Sophomore safety Brendan Fitzgerald and junior wide receiver Ayden Rickard helped clear parts of Leetsdale.
“It was fun,” Rickard said Jan. 28. “I definitely enjoyed experiencing that with another teammate.”
Rickard, a second-year player, said he did not remember the team having such an opportunity last winter.
“I think it was just something to help out the community since it was so much (snow),” he said.
Fitzgerald said the experience helped build team memories off the field.
“It was pretty cold, but we pushed through it,” Fitzgerald said. “We just wanted to help out the community. We were just out there bonding outside of football as friends and teammates and just wanted to help people.”
Fitzgerald said he is excited about the upcoming season.
“I think we’re going to be pretty good,” he said. “We have a lot of upcoming freshmen, and the kids that have been around I played with my whole life.”
Sophomore Nate Miller is entering his first year with the team. He was out shoveling near his home in Sewickley Hills and by his grandparents in West View.
He said even though the team did not make it to a gym, everyone got in a good workout.
“When you’re shoveling a bunch, you can feel it later,” he said.
Miller is unsure what position he will play and did not mind the snowy start of team activities.
“It’s exciting just to see that we can do things like this as a team and help the community,” Miller said.
Freshman Donevan Gilmore plays wide receiver, kicker and linebacker. He was out shoveling in Sewickley by the middle school and had mixed emotions about the day.
“I thought it was pretty amazing because we didn’t have school,” Gilmore said. “It was disappointing we didn’t have practice, but it was nice that we were out helping people. It was also nice to play in the snow.”
Gilmore happens to be a fan of skiing and all things snow.
“I like it when it’s cold and it’s snowy,” he said. “If it’s just cold and it’s not snowing, what’s the point?”
After the shoveling, several players made their way to the high school for some sledding and playing in the snow.
The players also lauded Eshenbaugh for his mentorship and coaching style.
“He’s a really kind eye and does a lot to help out the community and the team and the players,” Rickard said.
Quaker Valley ended last season 4-6 overall and 1-5 in the Class 3A Western Hills Conference.
The district moves down to Class 2A next school year.
The season starts in August. However, conference assignments were not released as of presstime.
Eshenbaugh said Quaker Valley has a strong foundation to build on.
“Last season, we began building a team culture focused on a ‘person first, student second, player third’ mentality,” the coach said. “We were scheduled to begin our volunteer workouts (Jan. 25), but the weather made that impossible. I wanted the players to stay physically active while also finding a way to help the community. I believe activities like this help build character and strengthen the relationships between our players and the neighbors who support us.”