Ball State University Athletics
Ball State Swimming and Diving Helps Kokomo Community
August 30, 2016 | Men's Swimming and Diving
This Saturday was not a typical day for Ball State men's swimming and diving team. Sixteen members of the team chose to spend their Saturday lending a helping hand to the Kokomo community after the town was damaged from a tornado earlier in the week.
The team partnered up with United Way to help remove trees, clean up debris, make sure everyone had food and water, and do whatever they could to get the town back on its feet.
“After the storm, we decided as a team to come out to help the Kokomo community,” Freshman Jack Luddy said. “We have lots of friends at Ball State from that area and knew that their families and friends needed our help and support. It is a great opportunity to represent our school and our sport.”
Senior Bradley Ridge, who took the initiative to reach out to local businesses and members of the community to see how the team could help, also made the trip to Kokomo.
“This wasn't something the school told us to do, or something captains elected as a good cause,” Ridge said. “This was one team, one group of young men building on a culture of ambition, courage and character, to step up when our community needed us. I've never seen such an incredible group of young men, and we capitalized on that today. The team only has one captain, but today we had 19 leaders.”
Freshman swimmer Noah Bullard was just one of those underclassmen to step up and show leadership through this community service.
“As an underclassman, it's difficult sometimes to find opportunities to display leadership ability,” said Bullard. “This effort was a wonderful chance for the freshmen and sophomores to go out and take charge in the community. Unfortunately, this disaster hit the community of Kokomo pretty hard. It's not about us. Their lives are altered because of the tornado that tore through here. So, for me, it's nice to get out and help others.”
The cleanup efforts in Kokomo are ongoing. Those seeking an outlet to assist can do so through the United Way of Howard County.
