SACO — For high school senior football players, there are a lot “lasts” that go on throughout their final campaign. It is the last preseason, the last homecoming game and the last chance to win with childhood friends. For many, it is the last time they will even play football.
For the last 29 years, the state of Maine has put together a senior All-Star game called the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic that lets a group of deserving student-athletes get back on the gridiron one more time.
This All-Star game is different though. It is less about the sport of football and more about giving back. The Lobster Bowl is sponsored by Shriner’s Hospital and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the kids that are cared for in Shriner’s Hospital across the United States.
For the second consecutive year, Thornton Academy is hosting the Lobster Bowl and TA Athletic Director Gary Stevens is hoping to find ways to improve the already successful fundraiser.
“This year was about using what we did last year and building upon it,” said Stevens.
Before Thornton, Waterhouse Field in Biddeford hosted the annual event for 24 years, but the location was changed due to the renovations at Waterhouse.
“A lot of the preparation went on last year because it was the first time we had hosted in a while,” said Stevens.
For Stevens, he is communicating with a lot of parties to ensure that all people involved with the fundraiser receive what they need. He has been vocal with the representative at Shriner’s that came for a walkthrough meeting last week, but also plans to talk to volunteers, athletic trainers, and players. Stevens believes this type of event should be run proactively.
“A lot of my work is public relations and making sure everyone involved in the game has what they need to make it a successful fundraising event,” said Stevens.
The fundraising side of this event is unique to the players. Each player and cheerleader that is chosen for the event has to raise a minimum of $500 for Shriner’s Hospital. That aspect of the game unites people around the cause and provides an excitement.
“It is about people coming together and using sport as a mechanism to promote social awareness,” said Stevens.
All the planning that Stevens and TA has to do is always worth it because it is for a great cause.
“There is a lot of work that goes into it, a lot of preparation, a lot of detail, and there is a lot of game day work,” said Stevens. “We are very committed to this cause and committed to them maximizing their fundraising potential.”
The amount of people the game attracts is another reason why there is a need for so much planning.
“You have people coming from all over the state of Maine. It is not your typical football crowd,” said Stevens.
At the end of the day, all the hard work is worth it for the Thornton Academy athletic department.
“For us, it is an extension of the mission of our athletic program that we have here at TA. It is a cause we certainly can connect with and support,” said Stevens.
Stevens appreciates having the game at Thornton as it gives the school a chance to be a pioneer in service.
“We like to be a leader in that type of cause, so it’s great to have it at Thornton Academy,” said Stevens. “We want to encourage other schools to give back, too.”
After last year, Stevens said that seeing the players finish their playing careers in such a heartfelt way was a touching moment.
“It is one of those scenes that you just don’t want to end,” said Stevens. “There is a lot of work that goes into it, but it is very exciting and a labor of love.”
— Sports Writer Brandon Eckles can be reached at beckles@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.