UL football players help neighbors: UL football players did yard and house work Saturday morning as part of a community service project. Video by Amanda McElfresh.

arly two dozen University of Louisiana at Lafayette football players spent their Saturday morning trimming trees, raking leaves and improving the properties of local residents.

Most of the work took place at the home of Aimee Waguespack, the widow of former UL assistant band director Gerald Waguespack, who died in April. The yard and grounds clean-up was done while Waguespack was out of town, so she could return to the improved conditions, said her neighbor, Sheila Broussard.

The players also did some work on Broussard’s adjacent property.

“I’m loving it,” Broussard said, taking photos in her driveway as players hauled away tree limbs and one struggled to drive a four-wheeler. “I’m so proud of the guys, and they are having a great time here today. They are very generous.”

UL defensive line coach Tim Edwards said the project is a way for the team to say “thanks” to people who have supported them.

“This is just a small token of our appreciation, not only to talk about it, but having guys on a Saturday, on their day off in the summertime, to come together and do a community service project,” Edwards said.

UL offensive tackle Jarad Martin said he and his fellow players usually would spend a summer Saturday hanging out or sleeping in.

But the yard work was more rewarding, he said.

“It feels good knowing that you did something like this, helping someone who needs a hand,” Martin said.

Edwards said the project was also a bonding experience for the players.

“For the most part, every time they are together, it’s on a strict schedule,” he said. “Now they can hang out together in a time of peace, have fun and do real work instead of focusing on football work. It’s a way to develop teamwork. They can talk and work together at the same time.”

UL football Defensive Coordinator James Wilis, from left, players Jarad Martin, and Daniel Cadona, and Assistant Coach Timothy Edwards take apart a wooden in the back yard of Amy Waguespack, the widow of former UL Band Director Gerald Waguespack. They and other players spent the day cleaning up Waguespack’s yard at her home in Scott. By Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser June 29, 2013

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UL football Defensive Coordinator James Wilis, from left, players Jarad Martin, and Daniel Cadona, and Assistant Coach Timothy Edwards take apart a wooden deck in the back yard of Aimee Waguespack, widow of former UL assistant band director Gerald Waguespack. / Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser

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UL football players Marvin Martin, right, and Jamal Robinson bag leaves on Saturday. / Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser

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To see a video of the community service project, visit the link below.

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130630/NEWS01/306300013/UL-football-players-tackle-yard-work-community-service