Rockie Rexroad looked at the busy Blinn College men’s soccer players scattered around the room and didn’t hesitate.
“We could not do what we’re doing here without them,” Rexroad said. “They work hard, they’re dedicated … they are the epitome of good young men and I don’t think there’s a person here that doesn’t love these boys.”
As they prepared for their annual used book sale at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Rexroad and other members of The Fortnightly Club opened their doors to the Buccaneers for a morning of hard work, smiles, and Valentine’s Day festivities.
The Blinn athletes spent their time with The Fortnightly Club sorting, stacking, and displaying books for the upcoming book sale. The sale, which sends its proceeds to the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library in Brenham, includes thousands of donated books. Many of those books could be seen in the arms of the Bucs on Wednesday as they found a home on a shelf.
“It’s always nice to participate in a community event, and it’s great getting to know the local community around you,” Blinn sophomore Toby Lansdowne said. “It’s important to connect with the town that supports you and your college. Knowing we have the support of the people around us is huge, and it’s easier to put forth our best efforts in the classroom and on the field knowing we have the support of the community behind us.”
Lansdowne and his teammates also spent part of the morning passing out Valentine’s Day candies and a card signed by the entire team to the Club members on site.
(Pictured: Blinn soccer player Noah LeMaster helps sort through books with a member of The Fortnightly Club on Feb. 14, 2024)
Since becoming the team’s head coach in 2019, Michael McBride has made community service a mainstay within his program. Under McBride, the Bucs have participated in the book sale since 2019 while partaking in other volunteer opportunities.
“The Fortnightly Club does such inspiring work in our community and it is wonderful for us to play a small part in helping them prepare each year,” McBride said. “Opportunities to interact with our local community like this make Brenham and Blinn a very special place.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 45 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
