Central Jersey poolees meet Philadelphia Eagles football players

11 Sep 2004 | Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Hanks Jr Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Poolees from Recruiting Substation Central Jersey were rewarded for their hard work and motivation during their monthly poolee meeting, September 11, 2004. Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Sanders, staff noncommissioned officer in charge, RSS Central Jersey, facilitated a meeting with several players from the Philadelphia Eagles football team at Trott’s Spot Auto Wash, here.

“Instead of doing routine physical training, we decided to do something different,” Sanders said. “We wanted to do something unusual to motivate the poolees and reward them.”

Sanders coordinated with his friend Victor Thomas, co-owner, Trott’s Spot Auto Wash, to bring some of his poolees by to meet with the players who were washing cars for a charity event.

At the car wash, Sanders held a formation where the players handed out the monthly poolee awards for providing referrals that subsequently contracted into the Delayed Entry Program.

Poolees Andrew Rooney and Thomas Bocchinfuso were each presented a Marine Corps book bag; an incentive item, by defensive end, Jevon Kearse and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, co-owner owner of Trott’s Spot Auto Wash.

“This event was a real good experience and made me appreciate the players outside the game of football,” Bocchinfuso said. “ It was exciting that the players appreciated who we are and what we stand for.”

Bocchinfuso is a 2003 graduate of Cinnaminson High School, Cinnaminson City, N.J., and is scheduled to report to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., this December.

After the awards were presented, several of the football players to include Jeremiah Trotter, Jevon Kearse; quarterback Donovan McNabb; linebacker Nate Wayne; defensive end Hugh Douglas and defensive tackle Sam Rayburn signed autographs.

“It was good that the players came over and signed autographs and spoke to us,” Rooney said. “I was really inspired by the speech given by Jevon Kearse when he said to always “remember teamwork”.  It also made me feel good that the players appreciate what we are doing and support what we do.”

Rooney is a senior at Cinnaminson High School and is scheduled to report to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., in June 2005.

According to Sanders, it is very important to him to keep his poolees motivated.

“I think the players as well as the poolees had a good time,” Sanders said. “When events like this come up, I like to take advantage of the opportunity. It’s events like these that keep the Marines and poolees motivated.” 




Marine Corps Recruiting Command