Olympia Spartan Football

My name is Eric Lyons, and I am proud to serve as the head football coach at Olympia High School.

We are excited to announce our 6th annual fundraiser to support Olympia Football. Over the past six seasons, our program has made remarkable progress. When I began coaching in 2018, the team off two back to back 0-9 seasons and consisted of just 27 players. Today, as we approach the 2024 season, our roster has grown to 70+ players, community support has been out of this world and we recently celebrated back to back IHSA State quarterfinal appearances for the first time in program history!

Our fundraiser's primary goal is to ensure every child in our program has access to a top-tier football experience, regardless of their financial situation. While the school provides significant support, there are essential aspects of our program that fall outside the school budget. As our program expands and costs rise, our needs have also increased. Many of our players come from families classified as "in need" by the school district, and our aim is to minimize their expenses as much as possible.

This season, we hope to fundraise for the following key items:

Eureka College Team Camp: This camp is a highlight for our players, offering two nights of dorm living, practice, and competition with other teams. It is vital to our success and the culmination of our summer training. The camp costs $125 per player for 35 players, totaling $4,375.

Gameday and Team Meals: Our Wednesday night meals play a vital role in fostering team unity, providing a space for players to share their thoughts, personal struggles, and gratitude. Over the past four years, both the cost of food and the size of our program have significantly increased, leading to a substantial rise in the cost of providing this essential service. Despite these rising costs, we are committed to offering these meals at no charge to the boys or their families. This bonding time is crucial for building lifelong relationships and sustaining the culture of brotherhood we aim to create. Each week, we provide two meals at an approximate cost of $15 per player. To feed the team for 9 weeks, we need a total budget of about $9,450 (70 players x $15 per week = $1,050 per week x 9 weeks).

Cleats and Gear: Every season, some players require assistance to replace worn-out or ill-fitting cleats and gloves. With rising inflation, we anticipate a greater need this year. Having additional funds allows us to ensure all players have the necessary gear for safe and effective play, with an annual budget of $1000.

Total amount needed: $15,000

We offer several levels of giving:

Navy Level ($150): Receive 1 season pass for all home regular season football games.

Columbia Level ($250): Receive 2 season passes for all home regular season football games.

Spartan Level ($500): Receive 4 season passes for all home regular season games, a replica helmet ($300 value), and two season t-shirts with our motto for this season.

Any donation, no matter how small, makes a significant impact. Even $15 can provide a meal for a player. Every dollar raised goes directly back into our program. I am always impressed by the generosity of our fans. The level of support for Spartan Nation has been greater than anywhere else I have ever been. Words can not truly express my gratitude, without your help the football community/culture we have created would not be possible. Help us to make the 2024 season an unforgettable experience. Spears up and Go Spartans!

Note: If you are a business owner or work for a business who would like to donate, please contact us. We have some exciting opportunities available for local businesses.