Football Buddies Make Lasting Impressions

by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard
Photo by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard
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The Football Buddies program at Marlow Elementary is a long-standing tradition that students – big and small – look forward to every season.

The program pairs a Marlow High School football player with one of the 36 elementary school classes for the season, offering the athletes opportunities to teach, encourage, and engage with younger Outlaws during one class period per home game day.

The players work with teachers to decide what activities to do that day.

“Sometimes we go out to the playground and throw the football or have games, and sometimes we’re inside doing an activity,” said senior Seth Aguilera last Friday after visiting Ms. Nite’s kindergarten class. “It’s always something fun for all of us.”

Sophomore Will Bergner visited his mom’s second-grade class and the two teamed up to give a lesson on safety that included information about hydration, heat illness, and the protection that Bergner wears on the field. The kids were invited to inspect the padding on his helmet and talk about preventing concussions.

“I’m never, ever allowed to go on the field without it,” Bergner told the class. “Sure, it’s going to be really hot out there, and it gets even hotter with a helmet and pads on, but that’s why we stay hydrated.”

The classes typically present their Football Buddy with a “Touchdown Bag” of goodies like handmade cards, snacks, and Gatorade. But that’s not all the players leave the classroom with.

“Everyone talks about little kids having a role model but I get a lot out of it too,” said Aguilera. “I mean, I see these kids out and about and I want to be a good example of how to act in the classroom and on the field and at the grocery store. It makes me a better person on and off the field.”

Aguilera said it feels great when his Football Buddies see him outside of the classroom and want to say hi. “They wave at me at the games and want high-fives if they see me out,” he said. “It’s like we’re all friends.”

Elementary school Principal Kim Kizarr said the program resonates with the younger students as well. “A lot of our varsity Outlaws remember their Football Buddies from when they were younger,” she said. “It’s something they look forward to doing when they’re on the team in high school. It means a lot to all of them.”