This summer, the men's basketball team at Carroll College has swapped sneakers for paintbrushes, taking on a series of parking‑lot makeovers that double as a fundraiser and a crash course in entrepreneurship.
Guided by head coach Dan Pearson, the players sweep debris, repair fissures, eradicate weeds and lay fresh striping, even stenciling handicap symbols that meet municipal standards.
A Summer of Service and Skill Building
The work is more than a paycheck; it teaches sales tactics, client interaction and the value of hard‑won labor, skills that will serve them on and off the court.
In its first year, the squad has already completed five lots, the most recent being the Cathedral of St. Helena parking area, and is slated to tackle at least five more before the season begins.
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with local businesses and residents praising the initiative as a win‑win that supports the program while sprucing up public spaces.
Coach Pearson emphasizes that the project was born out of necessity — players needed to offset living costs — but it quickly evolved into a broader lesson in teamwork and civic pride.
Father Marc Lenneman, who oversees campus ministry, and Luke Frampton, a senior guard, have both spoken about the unexpected personal growth they’ve experienced, from negotiating with property owners to managing a modest budget.
As the paint dries and the summer heat rises, the team looks forward to expanding the program, hoping to inspire other collegiate squads to consider similar service‑driven revenue streams.