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WEST ALLIS – It may be Scott Hawkins first year as coach of the Milwaukee Custer football team but it did not take him long to see the effect a day helping autistic and special needs youngsters at West Allis Lanes for a day of bowling.

“I had a great time and I could see the players had a great time,” Hawkins said. “I have already received compliments on their participation, so everything went good.”

Enjoying himself during the day, Hawkins, recalled how he continued the tradition, after a phone call from MPS Adaptive Athletics assistant recreation supervisor Annie McGinnity.

“After I got the job, I got an E-mail from Ms. McGinnity that this is something they had been doing and I saw it as an opportunity to continue it,” Hawkins said. “I don’t see any reason to say ‘No, I don’t want to do that.’ It was an opportunity to have a good time and was a chance for (the players) to miss school.”

Attendance for the players was optional, however, several did take the time to get out of school and enjoyed their time helping the kids carry the ball to the edge of the lane. Celebrations usually followed after pins were knocked down.

“I’ve been doing this since my freshman year and I’ve always enjoyed,” said senior Custer football captain Colt Boggs. “It feels like I’m giving back. Our coaches take time for us, so I give back to the kids.

“It’s like a ritual for us. Ever since I came here my freshman year, I’ve come back. It’s a long tradition going back.”

Several of the players, have also been coming out to help during their time at Custer and have seen the benefits of taking the day to help.

“It was a great day,” senior Malcom Love said. “I’ve been doing this since my freshman year, so it is a very good thing to do every year.”

Added senior Alex Stallworth: “I just enjoyed coming out and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

One of the biggest things the football players took out of the experience was leadership and encouragement which meant high-fives all around.

“That put a smile on their face every time,” said Love. “You have to encourage them and let them do what they do.”

In all about 125 kids came out for the day of bowling, enjoying the day with the Custer football team, McGinnity said.

“We have record numbers of bowlers scheduled for Thursday’s outing,” McGinnity said. “The bowling season has been a good one for us.”

So consensus all around was that it was a great day with more to come, including visits from the other Milwaukee City Conference football teams.

“I wish I could do it again, but I’ll be graduating,” senior Odell Williams said. “This is a great experience.”