IMA SPORTS

More than 40 women and girls got a taste of what being a Maumee football player is like during the program’s Ladies Night on Wednesday at Kazmaier Stadium.

“It means a lot to our players and coaches,” Maumee football coach Evan Kachner said of the community support. “Our program would be nothing without the support we get from our parents, school and community. Events like Ladies Night just shows our players how much support they have and how exciting it’s going to be on Friday nights this fall.”

The women went through drills where they tackled a pad, passed the football and kicked and punted the ball. They also matched up their skills in a punt, pass and kick competition.

“The goal for Ladies Night is to get as many ladies who are involved with our program and community out on the field with our players and bonding with them through football,” Karchner said. “I believe that there is a disconnect between football and ‘ladies’ that we try to eliminate so everyone feels like they are a part of our program.

“I also think it’s nice to have a night dedicated to our player’s moms, just like we do with the dads during Decals with Dads. Ladies Night is a unique and fun night that not many programs do and I am happy we are one of the few.”

After that, the moms, grandmas, aunts and sisters lined up their football players in their sights and tackled them in what’s surely a highlight of the summer for many of them.

“Ladies Night was a fund team bonding activity,” said Annie O’Neill, mom of Panthers senior Colin O’Neill.

“It was also a great opportunity to meet other moms while learning some basic football skills. The tackling drill gave me a greater appreciation of what our sons do to prepare for the season.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com