This article was written by Sophia Curtis
In a powerful show of support against cancer under the stadium lights, Northview turned darkness into strength as students and fans blacked out cancer while fundraising for PORT.
The Blackout football game consists of not only a game, but also our football team playing in honor or memory of Northview community loved ones touched by cancer. The game was on September 26th, at 7pm at the Wildcat stadium as always. In an email to the district, Northview extended a sincere thank you for overwhelming support of their Blackout Pediatric Cancer event. Community efforts helped raise $25,421 for P.O.R.T. (Pediatric Oncology Resource Team). This achievement truly demonstrates the commitment and generosity of this school community. It does not happen without community members like ours. Coming to the game isn’t just another Friday night football experience. Northview’s annual Blackout game proves it’s about far more than just football. It’s a night where students, family, and friends rally behind a greater cause.
Cancer is often a battle fought alone. Previous football player and former Northview student, Nathan Forsythe, knows the impact of a cancer battle in the family.
“My grandma Curtis was the person I was playing for. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Hearing this I remember being scared for my grandma knowing how severe of a disease it is. She fought for a few years and finally beat it when I was around 12,” Forsythe said.
Support and energy is a major factor in these games to encourage our hard working football team and for those remembering cancer battles in the stands. For Forsythe, the added help of the community for the Blackout game gives him a sense of comfort in knowing he is part of a close community that can help conquer anything.
“The crowd definitely was a big factor in this game, more than doubling the usual amount of fans, plus it being our biggest game of the season and biggest [in attendance] game of Northview’s history,” Forsythe said.
Athletic director, Pat Marsman, has been with us at Northview for eight years now, Marsman believes in Northview’s spirit, and appreciates how it is not only here at the school but also in the community. Cancer not only impacts members at Northview schools, it also touches hearts in our society.
“Every morning I go to Speedway and get my pop and they’re always saying, hey, when are your blackout shirts available, ’cause they’ll come up here and they’ll buy a bunch and then they’ll sell them at Speedway. So it’s not just the Northview High School and Northview public schools that rally around this great cause a lot of the local businesses too,” Marsman said.
Senior, Avery Obetts,who has played in four blackout games, is always impressed by the energy and togetherness the crowd brings to her team’s play level.
“Just knowing that people are supporting you, hearing the noise, keeps you motivated, keeps you hyped. You know, when the student section’s loud, it feels good . . . it keeps the vibe up,” Obetts said.
The blackout game is about far more than energized football, it’s for the families out there with either a family member or friends who are battling cancer as well, that need the extra support. So when you’re yelling and clapping at these games, think of who you’re supporting.
“It’s definitely very emotional. You really feel the stories are being told when you’re lined up in a row on the sideline facing the stands. Every year I always want to sponsor a jersey and this is the first year I have. It’s for my great grandma’s son who passed away from brain cancer at 18 years old, and he was a former Northview student,” Obetts said.
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