GUNNISON, Colo. – Members of the Western State football, men’s basketball and wrestling teams joined the Western cheerleading squad, staff members from Residence Life and the Academic Leadership Program and the Gunnison Police Department for the Good Neighbor Program tonight.

Established in 2002 and spearheaded by Police Sergeant Joe Engleman, the program works to educate citizens to be “good neighbors” and improve citizen relations and develop citizen responsibility. Since the launch of the program, alcohol violations and arrests in Gunnison have dropped 76 percent and violations for peace disturbances have dropped 37 percent.

Twenty-two Mountaineer student-athletes were mixed with the other groups and sent to 13 different sites in Gunnison to personally distribute brochures with steps individuals can take to enhance a “good neighbor” environment. The opportunity also allowed Mountaineer student-athletes to meet new people in a proactive way and develop positive relations with the City of Gunnison.

The Good Neighbor Program is just one of numerous projects undertaken by Mountaineer student-athletes during the past several years. While Western State student-athletes have continuously took part and initiated several projects in the Gunnison Valley, the “service” component was adopted as one of six ideals of the Division II philosophy in 2006.

Attached Wrestling Photo include wrestling team members: (L-R) Brandon Montoya, John Finkbiner, Scott Reinbold, Donovan McMahill, Sam Kenagy, Mike Ross, Jake Hruza, Kyle Graulus, Hollan Gravley, and Cort Siegele.