'Tis the season

Preps and teams reach out to

those in need over the holidays

By Christian Davis and Sue Teggart

C & G Sports Writers

For the typical teenager, the holiday season is all about time off from school, staying out late and sleeping in, and of course, enough gifts under the tree to keep them busy until next December.      

But as sports writers, we get to know many student-athletes who are anything but typical.

In fact, we often meet athletes whose accomplishments make us marvel at their spirit, determination and unselfishness. We see it on a regular basis, but we’re guessing the average reader would be truly amazed by many of these kids.

With the help of our Web site, 19 newspapers and by reaching out to local athletic directors, we asked coaches to let us in on some of the things their athletes had planned in the coming weeks.

What we found was inspiring.

In some cases, coaches were the driving force. But most of them admit that once the ball was rolling, the athletes embraced the idea of helping out the less fortunate in their own communities, and in some cases, far beyond.

“It’s Christmastime. It’s a time of helping, and I think everyone needs to be of aid to someone, somehow,” said Bloomfield Hills Lahser boys basketball coach Lorenzo Robertson, adding that he’s taking his team to a church in Detroit to help out the less fortunate. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”

So in keeping with the holiday spirit, we chose 12 teams (or individuals) to represent the 12 days of Christmas. Here’s just a peek at some of charitable causes local athletes and coaches will participate in throughout the new year.

             
Swimmer raises ‘a-wear-ness’
— For a cheerleader, having spirit is a prerequisite for the job, and it’s a quality that shines throughout the holidays for the Ford II cheer team. It’s also why the Falcons participate in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program.

Ford II coach Kate Walker said the team raised $925 and then shopped, wrapped and delivered gifts for its adopted family.

“(The cheerleaders) realize that it is more satisfying to give thoughtful gifts to others rather than to receive,” Walker said. “During these important adolescent years, it is a great message to teach future leaders. The cheerleaders in our program know how blessed they are, and they continue to impress me with their desire to pay it forward.”