Apollo High School football coach Justin Skaalerud recently received the 2017 Community Service Award by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association for his work with athletes and community involvement.
Skaalerud requires all of his football players (freshmen through seniors) to work a minimum of 25 hours in community volunteer service every year.
In addition to the satisfaction of knowing they are helping others, Skaalerud says, “There are two parts to why I want these kids active in the community,” he explains. “The first is to be seen. I want the community to know what great kids we have, the quality of students and athletes.”
“The second is the goal to get all of our students to go to college, and it helps on their applications to have 100 plus hours of volunteer work completed by the time they graduate,” he says.
Coach Skaalerud is right alongside his athletes when they are volunteering.
“My favorite volunteer event is the Read to Kids program,” he says. “I take a personal day to go with them.”
During “I Love to Read” month (February), Skaalerud brings his athletes to all of the north side elementary schools. The athletes are divided into classrooms at each of the schools, and the time is spent reading to kindergarten through second-grade students.
“I’m the most passionate about the kids at Apollo,” Skaalerud says with a wide smile.
His work with his athletes is year round. They spend a lot of their volunteer time during the offseason as well. With over 100 athletes in the football program, there are always opportunities to offer their volunteer time.
When he isn’t coaching, teaching or volunteering, Skaalerud loves to spend time with his family.
But when it comes to football, says Skaalerud, “It’s a family thing. It’s our life.”
Looking for some hard-working, caring athletes to volunteer at an event? Look no further than the Apollo football team and coach Skaalerud.
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