SPEARFISH, S.D. — They experience the glory of a Saturday night.
A freedom – fought for and protected by our heroes.
Appreciation shared with a purpose on Thursday – at a dinner with Black Hills State University Football players. Hoping to break barriers between law enforcement and college athletes.
“The big thing is just to be able to start building a relationship there,” said Austin Drapeaux, with the Spearfish Police Department. “There’s a lot of we go in, and we’ll explain everything that we’ve got going on. The reason why we’re here for the first place and let them know here’s here’s where our issues are with this kind of stuff. It’s not a us directly like demanding you around telling you this is exactly what needs to happen. It’s just more like I said, those teaching moments.”
Along with the dinner – a new logo was unveiled ahead of BHSU’s heroes appreciation game. At the dinner, first responders and veterans joined in on putting the temporary logos on the players’ helmets.
“We’re going to bring out team out and make sure that we honor our flag and honor these people the right way,” said BHSU Head Football Coach, Josh Breske.
For those men and women that serve us.
“You know at the end of the day it’s it’s people from this community,” Breske said. “You know, that’s the number one thing is, these people. Some of the people that were here with us last night went to school here, played football here and I’m hoping our guys can just make that human connection.”
Anthony Rosenstrauch – attended the Air Force Academy before coming to Spearfish. He’s now training with his new team on another mission.
“It feels really good to see all my brothers here on the team that are unifying behind this and kind of while wearing the new logo that has American flag on it, so despite what your belief is, it’s kind of nice to feel that support everyone getting together and backing one thing,” Rosenstrauch said.
To develop relationships between the college athletes and first responders – who may cross paths in the future.
“I just want to sit here and let you know that we are here to help them and I couldn’t be more excited to be able to work with the college campus, athletic department and football team,” Drapeaux said.
Looking for more news and information? NewsCenter1 Media Group has you covered go to NC1.TV today for all of your Western South Dakota and Wyoming news today.
