Joel Geier, right, is shown with Wes Welker, the All-Pro receiver who recently signed with the Denver Broncos.

By Caitlin Harbach

Wartburg College student Joel Geier is among student leaders across the country recently honored for their dedication to finding solutions to social issues.
Campus Compact, a coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents, named Geier one of this year’s 181 Newman Civic Fellows. The award recognizes his non-profit program that provides athletic equipment and opportunities for young, underprivileged children whose everyday lives don’t include sports.

Geier, a sophomore business administration major from Preston, started K.I.D.S. (Knights Integrating Development Sports) last August. He is a former Wartburg basketball player, who also played football and ran track in high school.

“It was kind of a spur of the moment thing,” said Geier, who describes sports as his biggest passion behind family and faith, while adding, “I’ve always wanted to be able to help people.”

K.I.D.S. plans to use money raised from T-shirt and bracelet sales throughout the school year to build a new basketball court this fall in flood-damaged areas of Waterloo. The goal is to give others the opportunity to experience sports.

“Whether it is shooting hoops, kicking a soccer ball, or playing catch with a baseball, sports can be very enjoyable for young children and can be something that sticks with them throughout their lives,” Geier said.

Other fundraisers in the works include Walk-A-Thons on campus and in Wisconsin and a softball tournament in Preston.

Geier hopes to make K.I.D.S. his full-time job after completing his Wartburg degree and going to graduate school.

“I know what sports can do for a young child. I have experienced it myself,” Geier said. “I just want to provide that chance for every young child to be able to fall in love with a sport.”

Persons interested in volunteering with K.I.D.S. can email joel.geier@wartburg.edu or visit Knights Integrating Development Sports on Facebook.