Rural Missouri - September 2022 - 9

and then they go back to work on the farm or out in our
community for the rest of the day, " says Chris. " When
people ask, 'Hey, what do you
guys do?' Well, we get up at four
o'clock in the morning, and we
start weights at 4:45. There's not
a lot of schools in Missouri or
wherever that can get 65 kids in a
weight room at 4:45 - every single
morning. "
With the coach barking orders
like a sideline drill sergeant, the
athletes set to work making the coop's
trucks shine, inside and out.
It's a tough job considering what
these trucks go through to keep
the power flowing for members of
the cooperative. But the work is
done the only acceptable way for
The Brotherhood: perfection.
At one point the coach stops everyone
and calls for a huddle. One
truck has glass cleaner left on the
dash. Another didn't get its mirrors
cleaned. They get fixed.
"
We love being a part of this, not
just because of the success, but
to give them a little insight into
what real life is about once they
get done playing a sport. None
of us wins every day. It's how you
play the game that transfers to
life.
Jeff Hull, Barton County
Electric Co-op manager
In 2 1/2 hours team members will make 17 trucks look
new again. In return for the hard work, Barton County
Electric will make a donation to the Lamar High School
athletic department.
" We're getting new equipment from the money they
donate, " says Alex Livingston, a senior linebacker. " New
helmets, new shoulder pads and the money helps pay for
pregame and after-game meals. Of course, this is a life
skill everyone needs to have. Hard work. Attention to detail.
Paying back whenever people help you. "
Whether it's practicing a defensive play or cleaning a
"
Lamar
bucket truck, the goal is the same, he says. " Everything's
very critical, very precise. They want everything to be as
perfect as it can be. "
Eventually the seniors on the
team will graduate and move on
with their careers. Currently two
former football Tigers - Morgan
Davis and Clayton Buzzard -
work as linemen for the cooperative
while a third, Jake Polodna,
is serving an internship while
training to be a lineworker at State
Technical College of Missouri.
" We look at this as a recruiting
effort, " Jeff admits as he watches
the team shine the trucks.
The rest of the team is spread
out around Lamar, picking up
trash from the roadsides or hauling
off bulky items for residents
who need to dispose of something.
It's a tradition as perennial as the
Tigers playing for another state
title in the fall.
" We love being a part of this, not just because of the
success, but to give them a little insight into what real life
is about once they get done playing a sport, " says Jeff.
" None of us wins every day. It's how you
play the game that transfers to life. And
that's why we want to be a part of this. "
Lamar's football season kicks off
on Aug. 26 at Marshfield. You can
learn more about Barton County
Electric Cooperative at www.
bartonelectric.com.
Barton County Electric Cooperative Manager Jeff Hull, right, joined the team for this group photo after the work was done. In return for the
community service team members did at the cooperative, Barton County makes a donation to the athletic department that helps buy equipment
and supports the team on road trips. This community support - along with the work ethic of the players - is key to Lamar's gridiron success.
SEPTEMBER 2022 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 9

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Rural Missouri - September 2022

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