The Little Giants are big men.

Each year the football team at Wabash College demonstrates its strength by dragging an airplane. But the athletes are not showing off. They’re using their bulk to raise money for Special Olympics Indiana, proving these big men also have big hearts.

Wabash has participated in the FedEx Plane Pull at the Indianapolis International Airport for the last four years. Every August, days before the Wabash players check into training camp, the players entertain each other and numerous spectators by partaking in this unique preseason ritual.

At 221 pounds, Wabash senior Chris Greisl is not only a hulking linebacker for the Little Giants, but also the team community service coordinator who arranged this year’s event on August 12. He said the Wabash team was thrilled to return to the friendly competition.

‘There’s been a lot of enthusiasm and everything like that,’ Greisl said. ‘It’s a fun atmosphere. We didn’t really know what to expect because all the (Plane Pull participants) knew we were going to go out there. They talk a little smack.’

Members of fire departments, police departments and local businesses comprised the record 36 teams competing in the 2006 benefit that raised $68,000. Greisl said many of these teams were ‘pumped up’ about competing against college athletes.

Teams of 20 pay an entrance fee of $1,000 before attempting to rope tow the 147,000-pound Boeing 727 a distance of 12 feet. The team that hauls fastest wins the Plane Pull.

Although shorthanded with 14 players this year, the Little Giants managed to raise more than $1,100 to finish in eighth place and earn many new fans. The football players also spent time at the benefit hanging out with Special Olympics’ athletes.

‘As far as we know they’ve had a great time because they keep coming back,’ said Joy Mahoney, a Special Olympics Indiana spokesperson. ‘They wear their jerseys because they look like a team. People are always interested every year to see how Wabash is going to do.’

Spectators come eager to see how the players will perform simply because Wabash plays, err, pulls to win. The defending North Coast Athletic Conference champions won the Plane Pull in back-to-back years before being upended at this year’s competition.

Of course, losing the event is no big deal to the Wabash players.

‘It’s nice to do things for other people who don’t have as much as you,’ Greisl said.

Wabash coaches originally attended the event, but an NCAA rule now prevents them from going to the fundraiser, frustrating Wabash head coach Chris Creighton. However, since his players now must set up the road trip themselves, it makes Creighton more impressed by how committed they are to participate.

Wabash College is in Crawfordsville, Indiana, about an hour away from Indianapolis, so the team has to organize a road trip in addition to finding entrants.

Creighton said he is proud of the way Greisl ‘took the bull by the horn’ and organized the team’s participation in the event.

‘I do think everything you do and how you do it in the offseason affects who you are as a team in the fall,’ Creighton said. ‘Just the fact that however many guys were there a Saturday before camp, they were together and just being a team helps. The more your guys are together the better they can be.’

Expect the Little Giants to keep coming. Wabash College is all about tradition. The team is involved in one of the oldest rivalries in college football. For the 113th time, Wabash will challenge embittered foe DePauw for the Monon Bell, and just like the Monon Bell Classic, Greisl wouldn’t mind seeing the FedEx Plane Pull become a lasting Crawfordsville tradition.

Creighton also hopes his team’s participation in the event continues and future Wabash athletes will be anxious to attend such a rewarding opportunity.

‘I get an email or phone call … and (Special Olympics Indiana) are just being grateful and thankful for our guys,’ Creighton said. ‘It’s not like our guys are stars. It’s just a really good match.’

Levin’s Locks

No. 11 Michigan (+7) at No. 2 Notre Dame

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Don’t party just yet, South Bend. Yes, the Irish looked like a potential national champion last week, but ND’s schedule only becomes more difficult. Still, if Charlie Weis keeps his Irish humble, Notre Dame is too talented for the Wolverines

Pick: Notre Dame 31, Michigan 21

No. 6 Louisiana State (+3) at No. 3 Auburn

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS

The two Tiger squads will play their most important game of the season in Week 3. The rivals are much better than the rest of the Southeastern Conference West-the winner earns the inside edge in reaching the SEC championship. The last six years the home team has won the game. The trend continues.

Pick: Auburn 20, LSU 14

No. 17 Miami (+4.5) at No. 12 Louisville

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Miami coach Larry Coker needs a win to save his job. The Brian Brohm-led Louisville offense has outscored two cupcake opponents, 121-28. The ‘Canes have a formidable defense, but Coker better start putting together a new rsum. Miami, the former Big East great, can’t stop its replacement’s high-flying offense.

Pick: Louisville 30, Miami 21

No. 19 Nebraska (+18.5) at No. 4 Southern California

Saturday, 8:00 p.m., ABC

Analysts say former football powerhouse Nebraska has its best football team in years. Now they can prove it. The ’90s football dynasty takes on the first dynasty of the 21st century. Cornhuskers QB Zac Taylor will annoy USC’s defense, but few teams have stopped the Trojan’s high-powered offense this millennium.

Published on September 11, 2006 at 12:00 pm