PINEVILLE, La. – With just six days left to their regular season, members of the Louisiana College football team spent one of their last nights of preparation for Saturday's regular season finale at Hardin-Simmons doing something a little different.

Rather than breaking down film or run drills, eight leaders from the LC football team and Louisiana College athletic director Darrell Payne opened Wildcat stadium to several youth football teams for an evening of fun and games.

Boys and girls from the Red River Football League's 6-to-9-year-old Grant and Buckeye teams, coached by Chris Pittman and John Williams respectively, spent Monday night with the LC athletes.

Cornerbacks Reggie Calhoun and DeMel Dumas, offensive linemen Ben and Hunter Feibel, linebacker Nate Janzen and wide receivers Cortland Bell and Bryan Sampson were on hand to introduce the youngsters to the “Wildcat Way.”

“We came out and fellowshipped with the young guys,” Calhoun said. “We showed them a couple drills and taught them some of our chants, but really we just wanted to spend some time with them and speak to them about the game of life. For me, and for all the other players who came out tonight, this is what it is all about. We love spending time with the young guys. It's fun for us. Hopefully, it was fun for them, too.”

Calhoun actually donated his own cleats, pink cleats he wore in honor of breast cancer awareness, to the cause and gave an autographed shoe to the oldest player from each of the two visiting teams.

“The athletes who came out tonight were great,” Pittman said. “They spoke to the kids about athletics and incorporated Christ and their Faith into their talks. They really gave of themselves for these kids and we truly appreciate it. We all fully support Louisiana College and what the school is doing for the community.

“I've been coaching with Red River for the last five years and we stress fundamentals, teamwork and the skills you need to succeed in life. And we stress the role of God. We pray before and after every game and every practice. One thing we stress is that the biggest thing for your life is put God first. The players who came out helped us to drive that home.”

The youth athletes' visit to LC was, Pittman said, was thanks to Payne.

“I can't thank Bro. Payne enough for the help,” Pittman said. “He went above and beyond to help these young people. He opened his door to us and we firmly appreciate it.”

Payne, in his first year as athletic director, has stated often that chief among his vision for LC athletics is a program that frequently gives back to the community.

“The credit doesn't go to me,” Payne said. “All the credit goes to the volunteers, student-athletes and coaches who dedicated their time to helping these young athletes. We are in a unique position to give back to this community. We don't want to just get our student athletes through school and be successful on the field; we want to minister to the community. When you have so many players and coaches on campus who want to be part of that ministry, it makes my job easy.”