The Oxford Athletic Boosters donated $650 to the Oxford High School Athletic Department to replace the torn American and Michigan flags which currently hang above the school’s Wildcat football stadium.
According to Athletic Director Mike Watson, when the stadium was renovated, the current flags and flag poles were installed to make for ‘an impressive entry? into the stadium. American, Michigan and Oxford flags fly above the stadium.
‘Because the flags are at one of the highest points in the county and because they are so large, the wind wreaks havoc on the flags and tears them by the end of each fall and spring season. We remove the flags after each season and have them repaired,? Watson said. ‘Each flag can be repaired approximately twice before being discarded. Therefore each flag lasts about one year. However, if the wind prematurely damages the flag during the season, there is no backup.?
Seeing a need for backup flags, Athletic Booster member Trisha Donaldson approached the boosters to see if they could help pay for a set of backup flags and sought donations from the community.
Oxford American Legion Post 108 donated $450 to the effort and Wildcat mom, Brandy Sereno, donated $200.
‘Replacing the flags is an expensive and unbudgeted yearly item and the donations by the American Legion and Brandy Sereno will help keep our flags in the best condition they can be throughout the championship seasons in fall and spring,? Watson said. ‘We thank to the boosters, Ms. Sereno and the American Legion of Oxford.?
‘I’m real glad that people stepped up like that,? said Athletic Booster President Mark Stepek. ‘Since I took over this year (as president), I’ve been able to get a (new people) with new ideas with new energy. It’s starting to come alive again.?