Rivals Come Together For Good Causes
Posted 08/19/2015 11:13AM

There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the big game this Saturday, August 22, at 5 pm. But beyond the noise and the hoopla, players and coaches from both teams quietly came together on Tuesday, August 18, to serve the Charlotte community. Initiated by Coach Drew Witman ’06, the day of service involved Country Day and Myers Park team members working side by side at four different non-profit organizations.

Good sportsmanship and good character were on display as the groups of players and coaches served food at the Charlotte Rescue Mission and the Men’s Shelter, took part in a campus cleanup at Urban Ministries, and made encouraging cards for patients at Levine Children’s Hospital.

Coach Witman, who has been an active volunteer at Levine for several years said, “Country Day students are going to be leaders someday, just by the nature of the education and the experiences they receive here. Consistently giving young people opportunities to serve others helps them get comfortable in various settings and it builds their social consciousness. That sets the stage for when they are older and have the means or influence to affect change.”

Country Day cheerleaders also took part in the activities at Levine, helping to record a segment on the hospital’s in-house multi-media broadcast station Seacrest Studios.

First Meeting for Both Teams
As Southpark-area neighbors, Myers Park High School and Country Day have much in common, with students who know each other through their neighborhoods or other organizations or who have attended both schools. 

“Yet Country Day and Myers Park have never played each other in varsity football,” said Director of Athletics Abe Wehmiller. “They are a 4A school with a great program and it’s just a great honor for us to be playing them in the Kickoff Night game. I think it will be fun for the players too, since many know each other outside of school.”

Seniors Cole Bloomer, Peter Pittroff, and Justin Grayson, who all have friends who attend Myers Park and have played on recreational sports teams together, agree.

“Some kids are talking about the game and who’s going to win,” said Cole. “It’s all in good fun. I’m going to just wait for Saturday night and we’ll see what happens on the field.”

Justin, added, “It’s just really exciting and a great opportunity to be playing against a 4A team at Memorial Stadium.”

“The atmosphere is going to a lot of fun,” said Peter. “I’ll be playing with and against some of my best friends. We’ll see who wins…it’s all about bragging rights.”