PORTAGE, MI – After abruptly canceling Tuesday's photo session and hunkering down in the wrath of the devastating EF2 twister, Portage Northern women's soccer emerged Wednesday with a call to action.
And it was all player-driven.
With the community in turmoil in the aftermath of Tuesday's tornado, Huskies players began a team-wide service effort Wednesday afternoon cleaning up Portage homes in Colony Woods.
“I didn’t lead this, all the players stepped up,” said Rose, the Huskies’ eighth-year coach. “They say, 'Hey, we want to do this.' And the players' willingness to recognize an opportunity and help someone in their community is a testament to their hearts and how they feel about themselves.” It speaks to the pride we have in our community and school.
“We couldn't practice because school was closed that day, so instead of just sitting around and watching, let's do something for the community.”
Approximately 25 to 30 Huskies soccer players and the program's coaching staff cleared debris and fallen trees from two homes on Colony Woods Drive, just south of West Portage Little League off South 12th Street. I helped remove it.
Rose said a lot of maneuvering was required due to the large amount of trees down and littering the road, which he said turned the team's perspective on its head fairly quickly.
“Walking back there helped me put things into perspective,” Rose said. “Yes, we love sports and we love competing, but things like this can happen. We want to take care of our community first.”
Tuesday's tornado had an 11-mile path, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 families and damaging hundreds more homes and businesses, officials said. Confirmed tornadoes have recorded winds of up to 135 mph, which is 1 mph below the EF3 tornado threshold.
The twister was the first in Kalamazoo County in 15 years, and the worst since the 1980 tornado that hit Kalamazoo.
Huskies standout senior and Calvin Commitment Nora Kuczynski and her family were the main organizers of Wednesday's cleanup effort, communicating with families in need and organizing the attack plan.
That's why Rose was fascinated by the ambition of all the players.
“The reaction and quickness of the players helped everyone come together,” he said. “I think this speaks volumes about the kids in the northern community and how supportive they are.”
And while Northern (3-12-0) is currently on a six-game losing streak on the field, their drive off the field shows how important the community is to them.
and their pride in Portage.
“I was really pleasantly surprised by how much they wanted to help in any way they could,” Rose said. “We've had a bad streak, but this shows that we can come together as a team and as a community. Whether it's playing sports or helping those in need, our It helps show your personality.
“All credit goes to the players,” Rose added. “They drive our programs and make who we are Northern and what we represent in our community.”