A Summer of Paint and Purpose
Carroll College men's basketball players are spending their summer break swapping sneakers for paintbrushes, turning empty parking lots into canvases that fund their living expenses.
The idea was sparked by head coach Dan Pearson, who saw an opportunity to blend community service with practical life lessons for his roster.
Preparing the Canvas
Each project begins with a thorough sweep, crack repair, weed removal and finally a fresh coat of line markings, a process that players say teaches teamwork and attention to detail.
Their first completed site was the Cathedral of St. Helena parking lot, where Father Marc Lenneman, director of the historic cathedral, publicly thanked the team for enhancing a space that serves the whole community.
A Mentor’s Praise
Players like Luke Frampton have embraced the work, noting that the hands‑on experience has given them a new perspective on responsibility and community engagement.
The initiative, nicknamed 'the painting saints,' has already delivered five projects and aims to add at least five more before the season starts, providing both financial relief and a sense of accomplishment.
Beyond the dollars raised, the experience is shaping the athletes into more resilient individuals, ready to face the challenges of college life and beyond.