Wylie and Abilene High Football teams go head-to-head this evening during their scrimmage to prepare for their first games next Friday and in support of the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation Benevolence Fund, which assists student athletes and coaches experiencing hardships.
According to the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation (THSCEF), “Our Day to Shine” has involved over 1,165 schools and raised over $721,000 and has paid over $641,000 to student athletes and coaches who have needed assistance during some tough times. The THSCEF Benevolence Fund allows the Texas High School Coaches Association to help beyond their present permanent injury and memorial benefits policies that currently dictate what they can give to help.
By participating, Wylie and Abilene simply send the gate receipts (less expenses) to the THSCEF Benevolence Fund. Krystal Martin, varsity cheer coach for Wylie High School, says she is excited to see the Abilene community support a worthy cause.
“It’s an opportunity for our community to support student athletes and coaches in times of hardship.”
Martin said it also gives the coaches and players an opportunity to serve the high school sports community while doing something they love.
Freshman and Junior Varsity teams will scrimmage tonight (8/18) at 5:30 p.m. — Freshman at Shotwell Annex and Junior Varsity at Hugh Sandifer Stadium. Varsity will scrimmage at 7:30 p.m. at Hugh Sandifer Stadium. The community can expect to see cheerleaders from both schools at the gates as a reminder that tonight’s scrimmages are supporting “Our Day to Shine” as well as an opportunity as a community to shine.
The Texas High School Coaches Association is hoping schools will deem the first scrimmage of the football season an annual “Our Day to Shine Day” but says schools can select any scrimmage they wish even if it is a spring game and invites any high school sports teams to designate a scrimmage game as a “Our Day to Shine”.
Both school’s football teams will be recognized in the October issue of Texas Coach for their participation in “Our Day to Shine”.
By Kristen Johnson