Patrick Kolafa
The Drumheller Mail
The Titans provide some great action on the field, however, in a contact sport, a big part of safety for players starts with the equipment.
While he has stepped back a little bit, Larry Mullin has been an integral part of the Titans team. For 17 years he has served as equipment manager.
Mullin started volunteering with the team when his son began playing football in his second year of bantam.
“He stopped playing and I continued on,” chuckles Mullin. “He walked out with a championship ring in his last year. I give him a bad time and tell him he has to come back because I have four championship rings and he only has one.”
The work for the equipment manager starts even before the season, making sure the gear is in good shape and safe before it is distributed and fitted for the players.
He would put equipment together, fit helmets, fix things and make sure they were ready to get on the field. He also kept inventory to make sure everyone was outfitted. He said it was a team effort.
“I learned there are good people out there who will give you a hand,” he said. “I could call George Hopkins (equipment manager for the Calgary Stampeders) anytime I needed.”
Game day he was there to make sure the players had all of their equipment, and that nothing was forgotten. During the game, he was available on the sidelines to take care of any broken equipment and get it functional.
“It’s about keeping the kids safe, that's what it is all about. If you got into it thinking it was about you, you better get out of it, because first and foremost it is for the kids.”
“To see these kids come out a winner is good,” he said.
While it is for the kid, he said the Titans family is a great crew to work with and he feels he is truly part of a team.
When asked what he would tell someone who is considering volunteering, he replied, “Get into it and do it. It comes with great satisfaction. Being around people who are giving lots for life, with the same common goal, is pretty good.”
Come football season, whether he’s volunteering or not he’ll be there cheering for the Titans.
