On a crisp Thursday morning, members of the Marietta College football squad joined forces with local volunteers to tackle a pressing problem at Oak Grove Cemetery. Recent rainstorms had shifted soil and deposited debris along the cemetery’s drainage channels and a historic brick sidewalk, threatening the integrity of the site.
Roger Kalter, a longtime resident and community organizer, spearheaded the effort. Kalter, who has been volunteering since 1991 and previously collaborated with the team under Coach Andy Waddle, rallied the players and neighbors to clear the affected areas.
A Lesson in Service
Head Coach Tom Hinkle emphasized the lesson behind the service project, noting that the activity offered players a chance to step off the field and engage with the broader community. "Our guys learn more than just plays; they learn the value of giving back," Hinkle said.
The team’s work extended 230 feet along the cemetery’s brick walkway, where volunteers used shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows to remove sediment while taking care to preserve the historic bricks. Local businesses stepped in, donating the tools and equipment needed for the task.
Marietta College Facilities contributed additional resources, drawing on supplies from Bridgeport Equipment, Greenleaf Landscapes and Miller Memorials. The collaboration illustrated how partnerships between schools, businesses and civic leaders can address infrastructure challenges.
Beyond the physical labor, the project was framed as a learning experience for the athletes, reinforcing qualities such as teamwork, responsibility and stewardship. Kalter expressed his hope that the restored cemetery would become a lasting asset for the town, a place where future generations could gather and reflect.