IMA SPORTS

Maumee athletes and fans have benefited from the work and generosity of the Maumee Athletic Boosters, often without realizing it. From senior night flowers for parents to pins, patches and numerals awarded to athletes at the end of every season, the boosters supply it all.

A few times a year, though, the boosters step into the spotlight to celebrate athletes and teams at the start of each season. On Friday, they will host the Fall Sports Preview Night at Kazmaier Stadium.

“Friday is a big deal to us because we get to celebrate the student-athletes of our community,” boosters president James Nino said. “In my opinion, it helps in setting the tone for the whole school year. It’s also a chance for some of the boosters’ efforts to be shared with the public.”

Gates open at 5 p.m., along with the concession stand and Panther Den. Panthers cheerleaders will also provide free face painting.

Athletes and teams from Maumee High School and Maumee Middle School will be recognized around 6 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the dance team and cheerleaders will perform, and the marching band will perform at 6:50 p.m.

The night leads up to the Maumee football team’s scrimmage against Clay, which starts at 7 p.m.

Nino, who is also an assistant coach for the football team, said the athletes always get excited to play in front of their home fans.

“I think the kids get excited for any chance that they can be with their teammates and also be in front of a crowd,” he said. “The band, cheer and dance all get to perform as well, so definitely a lot to look forward to.

“The football team treats this event like a game, and they get excited any time they can play in front of the community in the Kaz. This year, preview night falls on the first day of school, so I’m sure it will have a game-day atmosphere.”

In addition to Fall Sports Preview Night, the boosters host Maumee Madness in November to kick off the winter sports season and the Spring Kickball Game to start the spring season.

According to Nino, the boosters meet after every event and fundraiser to discuss what went right and what could be improved.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience for all of those involved,” he said. “Last school year, we made the decision to move our spring kickball event from a Sunday morning with little community involvement to an evening where we opened up the stadium to parents and other community members. This event changed a couple of years ago when we started inviting our Maumee Middle School student-athletes to participate.”

The boosters meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month in the Maumee High School learning commons.

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