The 51热门黑料 (GGC) men鈥檚 basketball team recently swapped basketballs for buckets when they visited the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Station 31, just across Collins Hill Road from the Grizzly Athletics complex. Instead of shooting 3鈥檚 or slam dunks, they washed the station鈥檚 ladder truck.
The service project was part of the team鈥檚 ongoing commitment to community engagement and giving back to those who serve the community every day. Players worked side by side, scrubbing down the truck, rinsing it clean and showing appreciation for the firefighters who dedicate themselves to keeping Gwinnett County safe.
鈥淭eamwork doesn鈥檛 stop on the court,鈥 said Chase Teichmann, head coach of the Grizzlies. 鈥淥pportunities like this allow our student-athletes to support our first responders, build character and stay connected to the community that supports them.鈥
The department answers over 100,000 calls each year with over 1,000 superbly trained men and women, 31 engine companies, 12 ladder trucks, 33 ambulances and three rescues. At Station 31, firefighters welcomed the athletes, giving a tour of the facility and sharing stories of their work.
鈥淭his was a chance to give them a glimpse of life serving the community,鈥 said Ryan Black, Firefighter Driver/Engineer. 鈥淏eing part of a firehouse and playing on a basketball team are very similar because to be successful, you need that sense of camaraderie and teamwork. It takes preparation, training and practice to be ready to respond to calls or for them, game day.鈥
For the players, it was a chance to gain a new perspective on service, hard work and teamwork outside of basketball.
鈥淚t was easy to see the parallels of being a firefighter or a basketball player,鈥 said Stephon Martin, a senior majoring in business. 鈥淚t鈥檚 team before self.鈥
For teammate Drew Kramer, a senior majoring in marketing, the experience gave him a new perspective.
鈥淭his was a fun challenge and seeing how the firefighters all work as a team,鈥 he said.
The team is gearing up for its upcoming season, but the day at the firehouse was a reminder that their impact extends far beyond game day.
The Grizzlies kick off their inaugural season at home in The Convocation Center on October 23.
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