The Lakota East High School football squad traded its usual off‑season drills for a hands‑on partnership with the Liberty Township Fire Department, swapping tackling drills for ladder climbs and life‑saving techniques.
A Unique Off‑Season Collaboration
Over several weeks the athletes practiced climbing fire ladders, administering CPR, and forcing open doors, skills that Head Coach Jon Kitna says could prove indispensable when the lights go out on the field or in everyday life.
‘These experiences give our players tools that go far beyond the gridiron,’ Kitna explained, noting that the training may shape their futures in ways a college scholarship never could.
With only about three percent of high school football players advancing to the collegiate level, programs like this offer a tangible pathway to meaningful careers and community service.
Carter Jones, a senior at Lakota East, reflected on the camaraderie forged during the exercises, saying the shared challenges have taken the team to new heights both on and off the field.
Liberty Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Canupp emphasized the broader mission, stating, ‘We want these young men to understand the value of being a good teammate, whether they end up in a firehouse or elsewhere.’
The fire department hopes the experience will leave a lasting impression, encouraging the participants to consider firefighting as a future vocation while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and service.