Redmen player auction a success
Posted on October 5, 2017 by Maple CreekFacundo Rodriguez
frodriguez@maplecreeknews.com
The annual Redmen Football player auction raised a total of $12,000 for the team.
Redmen junior and seniors were grouped into lots of two, three and four and sold to buyers who will use the players to complete certain tasks. The total raised from the player sales was $5,425. The other amounts raised came from auctioned items donated by members of the community and businesses in town.
The evening began with a pancake supper in the Maple Creek Composite School gymnasium and was followed shortly by the auctions. Redmen coach Dale Udal says the turnout from the community was exceptional.
“We were very pleased with the attendance. The community is always very supportive of the team,” he said.
Udal added that the amount raised is on par with what they are usually able to raise, having raised as high as $15,000 before and as low as $8,000. The proceeds will go to areas within the football team that is the most needed.
“We replace equipment first and foremost,” said Udal. “We’ve always tried to put top-notch equipment on the boys for safety reasons. We are always updating the helmets and the shoulder pads, helmets need to be replaced after five years. Uniforms as well they usually last about six to seven seasons, so we are getting pretty close to buying new jerseys for the boy.”
The team is now in the midst of saving up funds to build an announcer’s booth. They’ve been in the processes of saving up for this big project for a couple of years now. In years past, funds have helped put up a new scoreboard and built a clubhouse for players to change.
Auctioned players will be attending to the duties their buyers find for them to do. Whether it be raking leaves, cutting grass, fixing fences up at the ranches, or tending to cattle, it’s all safe work. Udal says this gives the teams an opportunity to work for the funds.
“I’ve always felt it’s important for the team to not just ask for free handouts. We can go door to door to businesses, but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. The boys can work for the funds, and I think that’s the right way to go about it,” he said.
The Jr. Redmen take on Medicine Hat Colts Friday at 4 p.m. Meanwhile the Sr.Redmen will play their last home game Oct.13 at 4 p.m. against Fort Qu’Appelle.
NEWS PHOTO DOMINIQUE LIBOIRON
The Redmen held their annual player auction Sept. 27. Grouped into 20 lots of two, three and four senior and junior Redmen, the player auction raised $5,425 dollars. Lot 10 consisted of Steven Schneider (left) and Travis Brost who were purchased by grandfather Leo Schneider for $300.
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