By Beatriz Martinez
Music and cheers roared from the Pritchett football field as the LEAP Ambassadors engaged in lots of dancing, games, prizes–and a little bit of football, too! What is this, you ask? It was the LEAP Center’s 8th Annual Republican-Democrat Charity Football Game. Along with providing a fun activity for community members to enjoy, the annual football game raises funds to help out the local Huntsville YMCA and the Holcombe Scholarship dedicated to SHSU students.
The game was conceived in 2008, when the Ambassadors were seeking ways to bring Democrats and Republicans together for the purpose of promoting positive outcomes in the community. Almost ten years later, the organization has raised about $32,000, with this total being split between the Huntsville YMCA and the John Holcombe Scholarship.
It was a bright, sunny Saturday, and the conditions were perfect for the LEAP Ambassadors. Almost all of the Ambassadors (except for Megan Chapa, who was still working hard in DC) took a break from the Austin Capitol and took back to Huntsville to volunteer in this great program. Bright and early, everyone showed up for set-up duty, which included rehearsing the YMCA dance, deciphering how to use the speakers and scoreboard, and lugging t-shirts and drinks.
Once noon hit, the players were raring to go. The teams were separated into two groups: the orange and blue teams. Among the players were SHSU students, SHSU professors, and other community leaders. Every player donates money towards the cause. Student players donated $100, while non-students donated $150. With that money alone, about $1,500 was raised to kick things off. However, the community also got a chance to get involved. In the end, with the support of folks from Huntsville and Austin, more than $7000 dollars were donated for this year’s game!
The game began with a coin toss led by former Mayor Mac Woodward and his grandson, Walter…
…and a prayer…
…and soon the game was on!
The best player on either team was Alexander Chartier…
…who managed to make some great catches….
…and elude everyone at times.
Despite facing off against Alex, high-schooler Ryan Brim did his best to contain A. Chartier.
Alex had help from Michael Rubio…
…and Makayla Mason…
…and Dr. Tom Haase, the only professor besides Mike Yawn to successfully complete a game!
But in the end, the Blue team proved too much.
Alex Galvan…
…got in on the action…
…
As did City Planner Aron Kulhavy…
LEAP Alum Cam Goodman made his fourth or fifth appearance in the game, continuing to contribute to the community despite working in League City (as Assistant Economic Development Coordinator)…
But it was Victoria McClendon-Leggett, for the Blue team, who made the ultimate difference, leading her team to victory (spelled V-I-C-T-O-R-I-A). On this play, for example, she extended her reach, tipped the ball, and then recovered it in a crowd of jerseys, emerged from the pack, and took off!
Near the end of the game, with the Orange team trying to make a late drive, Russell Martinez tipped the ball, and Victoria stepped in for an interception…
…and the blue team won, 70-56. But it was a great game by both sides….
However, the football players weren’t the only ones allowed to have fun. Like any other football game, this one also had games during half-time. Many of the spectators were brought out to engage in these fun activities such as sack-racing…
hula-hooping…
…and wheelbarrow racing.
And let’s not forget the main attraction, and probably the primary reason, that the YMCA kids and employees came out that day: the famous YMCA dance. Last year, it was not much of a dance, more of a monkey-see, monkey-do game. This time however, we prepared with about 30 minutes of rehearsing and were able to pull off probably one of the best YMCA dances in the Charity Game’s history–although that’s a low bar to clear!
It even brought out Judge Tracy Sorensen and her son, Cody…
…and Kaitlyn Tyra showed off her moves!
Both of them!
Perhaps no one had more fun than the scorekeeper…
…who probably had the best dance moves…
…although these moves did not extend to the wheel-barrow race.
And some used half-time as a chance to rest, rather than participate fully.
The day ended with everyone leaving a bit more light-hearted and breathless, from playing in the field . However, it was a great program to bring the Huntsville community together. Nothing forms community friendship like the opportunity to give a helping hand to others while having a good time. Of course, we’d like to thank our sponsors, Richard Yawn for being the MC, Bella Abril for “personing” the scoreboard, Ashley Woodford for photos, and all the players and volunteers who contributed their time and money to help make the game a fun and winning time for the community.
The LEAP Ambassadors were excited to visit with old community friends and are excited to host next year’s Republican-Democrat Football Game.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 
