PSU football gets off field, into community

By Riley Wagner

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University football team is a prominent presence in the Pittsburg community and throughout Southeast Kansas. For the Gorillas, giving back through community service is a top priority.

Many sports teams and athletes participate in community service, but not all make it a central focus. The value of service is deeply ingrained among those involved with Gorilla football — from coaches to players, everyone understands its importance.

Gorillas’ assistant head coach and defensive line coach Tyrell Everett coordinates community service efforts for the team. He said the team’s service activities are one of his favorite parts of the job.

“It shows where one’s heart is, and knowing that we were put on this Earth to serve others and help others as well,” Everett said.

Throughout the year, the football team participates in various service activities. These include volunteering at elementary school carnivals, reading to students, and even helping community members move homes.

Two standout service events this semester included a birthday party for Jaivion, a 12-year-old middle school student from Frontenac and hosting Victory Day in partnership with Special Olympics Kansas.

At the birthday party, players played wiffle ball with Jaivion and his friends, sang “Happy Birthday,” and shared pizza inside Pittsburg State’s Plaster Center — ensuring Jaivion had a memorable experience.

Victory Day brought PSU players and coaches together with Special Olympics athletes for an afternoon of fun and inclusion. Southeast Kansas regional director Olivia Ryan said the event means a great deal to their athletes.

“Victory Day is so much more than just another event for us,” Ryan said. “It’s a day they look forward to all year. It’s a celebration of inclusion and all the events throughout the year.”

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with PSU,” she added. “The support from the football team has created a ripple effect of kindness, positivity and inclusion throughout our community. Their dedication inspires others to join in, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.”

Shirley Luton, a longtime PSU fan and Victory Day participant, shared his excitement about the event.

“I love it,” Luton said. “It’s super fun. It’s cool to be around the PSU football team.”

For Anthony and the Gorillas, giving back is an important way to thank the community for its ongoing support.

“The community supports us in so many ways, so it’s crucial for us to repay them,” he said. “Getting our guys out there to build relationships with Pittsburg and Gorilla Nation is a huge part of what we do.”

Anthony added that being active in the community helps form stronger bonds between players and residents.

“Allowing people to see our players and get to know them on a personal level helps build a meaningful connection,” he said.

Billy Wolfe, a sophomore and the team leader in community service hours, said there are two types of service the team performs.

“One focuses on directly helping someone in the community,” Wolfe said. “A bunch of us worked a powerlifting meet this spring — running events, loading weights into a truck, and later unloading them back into the weight room.”

“The other type,” he continued, “is more about representing the image of a Pitt State football player. We’ve worked several elementary school fairs. During Dr. Seuss Week, some of us read books to kids ages 2 to 5 at a local daycare.”

For Wolfe, community service is about more than football.

“It’s important to give back to the people who come to our games,” he said. “But it’s also about showing that we’re more than just helmets and numbers on the field.”