Men's Wrestling Friday, October 31, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

Chopping Wood, Building Community: Northwestern Wrestlers Find Strength in Service

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Northwestern wrestling's "Chop Wood For Good" program is a testament to the transformative power of community service. Each fall, the wrestling team dedicates weekends to chopping wood at the Ron De Jong Farm, a tradition that not only provides warmth to homes on the Corn Creek Reservation but also fosters a servant mindset and teamwork beyond the wrestling mat.

For Logan Schroeder, a senior on the Northwestern men's wrestling team, this initiative embodies the essence of being a Raider – serving others and growing through shared experiences.

SERVING A GREATER PURPOSE
Chopping wood may seem like a simple task, but for Schroeder and his teammates, it carries a deeper significance. It serves as a reminder that service isn't always easy or comfortable, but it's meaningful when it meets real needs.

Schroeder has been involved in chopping wood for his grandparents' wood-burning stove, and this experience has taught him the importance of giving back. It's about more than just physical labor; it's about gaining a greater awareness of how other communities live and finding fulfillment in helping others.

"Through these experiences, I have learned to serve and do things for more than myself," said Schroeder. "The physical labor of chopping wood has reminded me that service isn't always comfortable or easy, but it's meaningful when it meets real needs. It has helped me gain greater awareness of how other communities live, and that giving my time and effort to help others brings a deeper kind of fulfillment than any personal achievement."

Chop Wood For Good not only benefits the communities they serve but also brings the wrestling team closer together. Wrestling is often seen as an individual sport, but this project exemplifies that teamwork extends beyond the mat. It's about working towards a common goal and serving a greater purpose. Through this shared experience, the team becomes more than just a group of individuals – they become a unified force dedicated to making a difference.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Schroeder's journey with the Northwestern wrestling team has had a profound impact on his leadership skills. He has learned that leadership is not about being at the front and giving directions, but about setting the tone through hard work, humility, and consistency.

Being a part of a program that values discipline and teamwork has taught him how to lead by example and communicate with purpose.

Chop Wood For Good has played a significant role in Schroeder's growth as a leader. It has taught him that leadership can take different forms, such as rolling up his sleeves, encouraging others, and staying positive when the work gets tough. By focusing on serving a common purpose and working towards a common goal, Schroeder has learned to put aside differences and work together for a greater cause.

"Chop Wood showed me that leadership can look like rolling up your sleeves, encouraging others, and staying positive when the work is tough," said Schroeder. "It helped me realize that serving others together brings out the best in the team and in me."

LIVING OUT CORE VALUES
Chop Wood For Good embodies the core values of Northwestern athletics, particularly gratitude and Christlike behavior. Spending a day chopping wood for families who depend on it reminds Schroeder of the everyday blessings he often takes for granted. It has taught him that gratitude is not just a feeling, but an action.

The wrestling team doesn't chop wood for recognition; they do it to work together, meet a community need, and serve others.

In a world that often emphasizes individual achievements and personal gain, Chop Wood For Good serves as a reminder that true fulfillment comes from serving others. It exemplifies the values of gratitude and Christlike behavior, reminding the wrestling team of the blessings they often take for granted and the importance of giving back.

Through this project, they not only make a difference in the lives of others but also grow as individuals and as a team, becoming leaders who inspire and empower those around them.

"Jesus modeled servant leadership," Schroeder added. "The wrestling team doesn't chop wood for the recognition it brings to the team, but to work together to meet a community need and serve others. It is a chance for our faith to be more than just spoken, a chance for it to be put into action."

Chop Wood For Good is more than just a service project for the Northwestern wrestling team. It's a chance to live out their core values and make a difference in the lives of others. Through this initiative, they have learned the importance of serving a greater purpose, leading by example, and embodying gratitude and Christlike behavior. As they continue to chop wood and serve the community, they are not only becoming better wrestlers but also better individuals who are making a lasting impact.

The Raiders open the season tomorrow at the Falcon Invite, hosted by Friends University (Kan.).

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

Logan Schroeder: 125; 5' 7"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Logan Schroeder
: 5' 7"; Senior
: 125