Grizzlies Strengthen Their Roots in the Community by Giving Back
Gray Saltar-
High Country Grizzlies’ quarterback and wide receiver duo Dom Hobdy and Alex Coleman have taken their fabulous work ethic from the turf to the community this season by giving back to local children. The two participate in a program where they travel to various North Carolina elementary schools in Boone, Banner Elk, Hickory, and Lenior to read to children, but more importantly serve as role models for them.
“We were all in the same shoes as them at one point,” says Hobdy who mentioned the importance of role models in his own childhood, “Certain things would hit home and make you feel like they had been where you were.”
Hobdy carries his involvement in the community with him wherever he goes by also running two daycare programs in his hometown, the Day Star Learning Center and Christian Youth Ministries. “I can show that with making the right decisions, you can be who you want to be and do what you want to do with your life,” says Hobdy.
Another player on the Grizzlies roster who wants to send a message of perseverance is Alex Coleman. Standing at a mere 5’7” and weighing only 180 pounds, Coleman is coming off of a five touchdown year where he also placed among the top 8 in the NAL in kick return average. He mentioned his reason for continuing his football career beyond the collegiate level was indeed “for the kids.”
“With me being a guy who’s shorter in stature, it shows that no matter your shape or your size you can do anything you want to,” Coleman explained. Dom Hobdy
His last involvement in the community was at Parkway School where Coleman read two books to the children there. In fact, Coleman invited the kids up to the front to read with him. “It gave them a chance to interact,” the Grizzlies’ top receiver said, “it also creates comfortability with adults. That is something a lot of kids struggle with and we just try to bridge that gap.”
The High Country Grizzlies Head Coach, Scott Meserve, has continually mentioned his passion for bringing service to the community that supports his players and his team wherever he is coaching. Commenting on the direction of his most recent charitable endeavors Meserve said, “Asking these guys (Grizzlies players) what they wanted to do for the community, it was, give back for where they are now,” something that was clearly emphasized by both Hobdy and Coleman.
The team will continue their reading program at various elementary schools in the immediate communities around Boone and plan to host two summer camps in Banner Elk after the conclusion of their season in June. Their next matchup will be away on April 14, taking on the Carolina Energy in Charlotte.