Strake, St. Thomas host Challenger Football

October 25, 2011

HOUSTON — Challenger Football kicked off its sixth season with games at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (Sept. 15) and St. Thomas High School (Oct. 6). 

Following in the teachings of the schools’ mottos, “Men for Others” (Strake Jesuit) and “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge” (St. Thomas), players and cheerleaders served as mentors to youth with special needs at the annual event. With the assistance of football buddies, challenger players ran/wheeled, threw, caught and scored as in all football games. 

“They truly reached out and gave to others who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play the sports they all love so much,” Joni Hruska Fichter, Challenger League board member, said. “It is with school pride and deep faith that our high school buddies participate and make a difference in the lives of others whose smiles of sheer joy tell the story as they enjoy life on the gridiron.”

Coaches, booster clubs, priests, campus ministries, athletic directors and staff helped at each school prepare for games with the assistance of the National Honor Society and National Charity League. 

Challenger Football was created in 2006 in response to requests from Challenger Baseball players and their families who wanted the opportunity to play football and participate in cheerleading in addition to playing spring baseball. 

Putting aside their school rivalry, Challenger Basketball will open with a game at St. Thomas High School with co-host, Strake Jesuit at 11 a.m. on Jan. 7. Episcopal High School and St. Agnes Academy will co-host another game at 10:30 a.m. at Episcopal’s gym on Jan. 21. Online registration for the spring 2012 Challenger Baseball season will start on Nov. 1 at www.westull.org, click on Challenger. †