For many, when it comes to Iowa State athletics, a negative image comes to mind. The football team is having another losing season. Athletic team members have been arrested. The basketball team is expecting a tough schedule this year. The list seems the same each year, and it goes on and on.

But there are many things that happen on and off the courts and playing field that are very positive. One of those off-field events was highlighted in yesterday’s Daily.

The ISU football team, for the first time ever, has done extensive community service work at Mary Greeley Medical Center this season.

On Fridays before home football games, several team members spend about 45 minutes meeting with individual patients at the hospital. The result has been overwhelmingly positive for all involved.

Hospital officials felt that the visitations helped lift the spirits of the patients. The players and coaches said they received a great deal of satisfaction from the visits. And judging by the number of autographs signed and the excitement generated, the patients especially loved the visits.

And on top of that, an ISU athletic team gets to show the community first-hand its positive side.