On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Kaneland varsity girls basketball team celebrated a 59-57 victory on their home court against the Stillman Valley Cardinals. This non-conference game was special to the athletes and community as it served as the Kaneland Key Club’s Military Appreciation Night fundraiser.
This was the Key Club’s third annual Military Appreciation Night, and it was initially inspired by former Kaneland social studies teacher Javier Martinez. Following his 2022 retirement from Kaneland, Martinez stepped down from being the chairperson of this event to fulfill his obligations as a Medal of Honor advocate.
Since this change, senior and Key Club president Connor Anderson has served as the chairperson of the Military Appreciation fundraiser. To put this event together, Anderson has been working with the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
“Our main goal is to support those who are in dire need of homes, especially during the holidays,” Anderson said. “Our biggest goal is to simply support homeless veterans and, at the end of the day, we are out here advocating for the same cause that we have for the past three years.”
There are many ways that Key Club members encouraged others to support the cause in ways that extend beyond the basketball game itself. Throughout this school week, Key Club will continue selling t-shirts during all lunch periods, with proceeds then serving as donations. They will also host a homeroom food and supply donation competition and end the week with more celebrations before and during the varsity boys basketball game against Plano High School on Friday.
“We have implemented numerous opportunities for people to purchase shirts online. We have sold shirts at the Holiday in the Grove event and basketball games, as well as [during lunches],” Anderson said. “During the girls game, we held our 50/50 raffle. We will have a speech at the boys basketball game this Friday, followed by a Color Guard ceremony.”
At the beginning of the week, homeroom classes were asked to donate various clothing items for the shelter. The class who donates the most clothes by the end of the week will receive donuts when returning to school after Winter Break.
Sometimes, events such as Military Appreciation Night going on alongside a game can raise concerns about potential distractions for the athletes due to a larger crowd, more general excitement and a different atmosphere than a regular game day.
Brian Claesson has been the head varsity girls basketball coach for two years. Previously, he was an assistant coach for the Kaneland boys basketball team. Before the game, Claesson mentioned his belief that events like this lift up the home team and can help increase the players’ energy.
“The girls will be focused on the game. I think that they will enjoy that there are more people in the crowd,” Claesson said.
Senior point guard Alexis Schueler scored 18 points and gathered two rebounds with seven assists, and she played a fast and aggressive game against the Cardinals. Schueler enjoys the atmosphere in the gym that comes with a special night.
“It is a lot of fun. It creates a better environment for the game because everyone is there supporting a bigger cause. There is a lot more energy, and there are more people cheering for you. It just makes us all feel better,” Schueler said.
By combining the fundraiser with the basketball game, there was a greater sense of support from both sides. Assistant coach Michael Cimino feels that the event is a good way for the community to remember and support those who have fought for our country and now need our help.
“I think it is an important event because I feel like we do not always focus on those who have fought for our country as much as we should. If it opens up any awareness to think about those people who have sacrificed for our country and are currently doing so, I think it is a good thing,” Cimino said.
Incorporating Military Appreciation Night into a basketball game gave the girls team a chance to showcase their skill and athleticism while bringing the community together to celebrate and honor the men and women who have made sacrifices for our country.
That celebration will continue this Friday, Dec. 15, before and during the varsity boys basketball game, which starts at 7 p.m., when former Kaneland teacher and Vietnam veteran Norm Welker presents the colors before the National Anthem.
