Lions aid to Middletown fire victims draws national acclaim
For more than half a century, El Molino sports teams have been recognized locally for their uncommon character and for “playing with heart” in the face of adversity and now the entire country is aware of it.
That’s been the story since the devastating Valley Fire swept through the town of Middletown in September, destroying some 1,958 homes and structures, causing an estimated $1.5 billion in economic losses.
The tragedy hit home for the Lions football team, whose scheduled game at Middletown on Sept. 11 was immediately cancelled. The situation quickly spurred members of the team and El Molino Boosters Club to mobilize with a grass roots effort to raise some $40,000, while offering other assistance to affected Middletown athletic teams and their families.
The humanitarian effort garnered national attention, including a visit to the Forestville campus by a crew from CBS to film a segment for the NFL Today.
This month, the El Molino football program and Boosters Club were selected as the 2016 Section 7 recipients of the “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
“Our Booster Club and football program are honored to be recognized for the work they did on behalf of the Valley Fire victims this fall,” El Mo teacher and Athletic Director Mike Roan said recently. “Although this award recognizes the work done by our football team and Boosters in support of the Valley Fire victims, I have long been amazed by the spirit, support and energy our students, boosters, parents and community demonstrate in support of our athletes and teams.”
The award was created by the NFHS to recognize those groups or individuals who best exemplify the spirit of sport that embody the mission and ideals of education-based athletics.
The NFHS divides the nation into eight geographical sections, with Section 7 states compromised of California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. Nominations for the award were generated through NFHS member state associations and reviewed by the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award Selection Committee.
Although the national winner will be recognized June 29 at the NFHS summer meeting in Reno, Nevada, each of the section winners will be recognized within their respective states and receive their awards before the end of the current school year.
