MSU Baseball Athletes Champion Community Gratitude Initiative

More than a dozen MSU Billings baseball players joined forces with a local business Friday to personally deliver free meals to first responders across Yellowstone County, transforming a modest appreciation effort into the region's most ambitious gesture of community gratitude.

What started four years ago as "Topz for Copz" has evolved into "Red Bite and Blue Give Back," offering complimentary meals to any on- or off-duty police, fire, sheriff, EMS, or other first responders throughout the county.

The collaboration between Topz Sandwich Company and the university baseball program represents a significant expansion of the community outreach effort.

By early afternoon, the King Avenue location had already distributed more than $1,500 worth of free meals, with organizers hoping to reach $2,000 by day's end.

The annual event is coordinated by Performance Engineering, owned by Billings City Council member Scott Aspenlieder, who emphasizes the initiative recognizes people who often go unthanked but play vital roles in the community.

The timing proved particularly meaningful as athletes juggled finals preparation with community service commitments.

Head baseball coach Derek Waddoups said serving the community is core to his program philosophy, despite the busy academic period.

The partnership emerged organically through shared coaching connections and mutual community service values.

Players packed their vehicles with prepared meals and fanned out across Billings, making strategic stops at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, Fire Station 1, City Hall, and the 911 dispatch center.

Senior Brennen Chappell, who works as a summer wildland firefighter, brought unique perspective to the initiative, understanding firsthand the value of ready-to-eat meals and how quickly first responders must respond to emergencies.

At Fire Station 1, Captain Levi Bogunovich expressed surprise at the unexpected visit, calling it "a good gesture from the community" and "a quick little thought from the community that we're still here, and we appreciate them."

The firefighters reciprocated the goodwill gesture by sharing their meals with visiting players and offering rides on the fire truck's aerial ladder platform.

Coach Waddoups emphasized the broader educational value, describing the approach as "servant leadership" and "being a force for good," noting that the gratitude and support demonstrates something "awesome from the entire Billings community."

The expanded outreach effort reflects growing recognition of first responders' contributions, building on similar appreciation initiatives throughout Montana communities.

What began as modest police appreciation has grown into comprehensive recognition for all emergency services personnel.

For the student-athletes, the experience provided practical lessons in community engagement and civic responsibility beyond athletic competition.

The initiative demonstrates how collaborative partnerships between educational institutions and local businesses can amplify community impact initiatives.