Every year, the local football community comes together to honour the memory of one of their own.
The ninth annual Scott MacDonald Memorial Tournament will kick-off on Satuday, Sept. 22 at Walsh Field.
The fundraiser is hosted in honour of Scott MacDonald, a former Bonnyville Voyageur who lost his battle with cancer in 2010.
While the usual events are included in this year’s tournament, such as the 50/50 draw and silent auction, the day’s festivities will begin with a new team taking to the field.
“This year, we’re going to showcase our atom (flag football) team that just started,” explained Teri Prevost, chair for the Scott MacDonald Memorial fundraiser.
The Overdrive Tiny Techs take over Walsh Field from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the Bonnyville Renegades who will face off against the Lloydminster Colts at 2 p.m.
“To me, it’s a pretty big deal,” detailed Josh Jubinville, head coach of the Renegades. “We were very good friends with Scott and the family. I’ve lost lots of people to cancer as well. It’s obviously a big deal for me.”
Jubinville considers the tournament one of the team’s most important events of the season.
He said, “I treat it like it’s higher than the provincial playoffs. I treat it like it’s the Superbowl. I tell the kids that every year. This game, to me, is more important than the finals for our team.”
During halftime in the first game, players from the Bonnyville Voyageurs will participate in head shavings. The Renegades will lose their locks during the Bandits’ halftime, followed by the bantam team, who will be the last group to take the barber’s chair during the Voyageurs’ halftime show.
Players participating in the head shaving have been collecting pledges from the community.
“On the day, we’ll have pledge forms out if anyone wants to come down and pledge some money,” Prevost noted.
After the Renegades, the Bandits hit the field against the Lloydminster Jr. Red Dogs starting at 4:30 p.m.
“It’s been an incredibly powerful event,” expressed Bandits head coach Mickey Fagnan. “The original mandate was to raise money for cancer patients and their families. It’s grown exponentially, not only in momentum, movement, and dollar value being raised, but the excitement around the football games have been hyped with the new facility.”
The last team to kick-off will be the Voyageurs. They take on the Westlock Thunderbirds starting at 7:30 p.m.
Head coach for the team, Larry Godziuk said the tournament is a way for the football community to give back, while honouring MacDonald’s memory.
“When Scott was sick, he wanted other kids in his position to have something to do... Parents can apply for the money to go directly into what they need, and that’s what he wanted. With the blessing of his family, it gives us an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.”
Godziuk stressed the importance of reminding players why the event is so meaningful to the local football community.
“As the players get older, as the day gets farther away from the first one, we have to reeducate some of the players on who Scott was and why we’re doing this. Scott’s just one of many who have to suffer, and remind them that we’re doing our part for the people who are there now.”
Last year, the Bonnyville Amaeteur Football Association (BAFA) raised over $18,000 through the head shave and silent auction.
“On Scott MacDonald, 80 per cent goes back into cancer (research) and 20 per cent goes to our Voyageur scholarship fund,” explained Prevost.
The scholarship was made in MacDonald’s name. President of BAFA, Ronda Kurek, said it “gives to those that graduate from football, and go off into post-secondary.”
Over the past eight years, the memorial has raised approximately $99,000 overall. Twenty-five scholarships have been given out, adding up to approximately $20,000. Donations have been made to the local hospital, ranging from $15,000 to $20,000.
No matter the weather, the atmosphere at the games brings a sense of community for everyone involved.
“It’s just a great day, and a great day for football. We usually see anywhere up to 2,000 people come throughout the day. It’s just a really great event, and it gets the football family to come together,” Prevost expressed.
