GOSHEN, Ind. - If you've been to a Goshen basketball Saturday doubleheader this winter, you’re sure to have found a group of dedicated fans that get rowdy in the stands for their Maple Leafs. Yes, Goshen’s student section, otherwise known as the Leaf Pile, fits this description. But this year, another group has brought an influx of support.

The Maple Leaf Senior Buddies are a group of passionate and knowledgeable fans who reside at Greencroft Goshen - a retirement and assisted living facility just down the road from Goshen College. In November, the GC men’s and women’s basketball teams partnered with Greencroft to draw students and community members together to support one another, get to know many of the faithful Goshen College alums, and do so while enjoying the excitement that sporting events bring to all of our lives. The partnership involves bringing Greencroft residents to campus to enjoy Saturday doubleheaders in the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium.

The idea came from Director of Athletics Dr. Erica Albertin, who was a part of a similar collaboration when she played basketball at Manchester College (now Manchester University), a Division III school in North Manchester, Indiana.

“One of my favorite memories from being a college student was the Grand Spartans," Albertin said. “We would spend time at the local retirement community, and the Grand Spartans would come to our competitions, wear their black and gold shirts, and cheer from the front row.” With the proximity to Greencroft, Albertin wanted a similar program at Goshen and knew it would be a great fit. “There is a lot of Maple Leaf pride, and the senior buddies program benefits both our student-athletes and the senior buddies from Greencroft!”

The players met their buddies at Greencroft in November, bringing them Goshen-branded foam fingers, mini flags and pens. Each grouping introduced themselves and got to know each other better. For senior guard Sophia Eli, the connection between the team and the senior buddies felt instant.

“My senior buddy has been a constant support. He is at every game,” she shared. “He is always uplifting and constantly lets me know how much fun he had watching me play.” Eli said she has benefited from speaking with him after each game, connecting with community members, and creating relationships. She noted that he even voiced his thoughts to her on some questionable calls from the officials. The two plan to meet more outside of basketball games to get to know each other more.

DJ Bryant, a junior guard transfer from Mott Community College, said the initial get-together was awesome and a way to learn a little about each other. “It’s just another great addition to my support system as they are always at games and have even offered me to come eat dinner with them,” he said. “It’s been a great experience - I love it.”

The feelings have been mutual among the Greencroft residents as well. Marilyn Lehman learned about her buddies, Jared Bonds and Zion Neat, as they talked for more than half an hour at their initial meeting. “They recognize us and come up to us or wave to us at games,” Lehman said. “As a whole, it is nice to go over and see the team, which we probably wouldn't have done as much had we not been part of this program.”

Her husband Chris has two different buddies, Ellie Fausnaugh and Syanne Mohamed. He recently ran into three players while getting a haircut and introduced himself as being a part of the program. “They were just very congenial, easy to talk to and genuinely appreciative that somebody in town would stop to talk to them,” he said. The couple has been thankful that the program has allowed them to get to know other Greencroft residents, too.

The basketball teams have been prime examples of what it means to serve the greater good of the community, demonstrating a culture for service. At the 2023 LEAFYs, the annual awards that celebrate the accomplishments of Maple Leafs student-athletes and teams over the last school year, the women’s basketball team won the Team Service Award. The men’s basketball team won the award the previous year in 2022.

“It’s wonderful to see the smiles on the buddies' faces during conversations and bonding time,” said women’s basketball head coach Stephanie Miller, “it is just as meaningful to watch the players get excited when they recognize their buddies when they arrive.” Men's basketball head coach Kyle Capps particularly noted the senior buddy of his player, Karson Jenkins, as being amazing, excited and enthusiastic. "I can tell that there is an impact in the community," he said.

Both teams are in the middle of Crossroads League competition for the remainder of their regular seasons. The remaining home games are on January 13 against Taylor, January 17 against Indiana Wesleyan, January 31 against Saint Francis, February 7 against Marian, February 14 against Spring Arbor and February 24 against Huntington.