GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On Thursday, Oct. 17, the smell of hot dogs filled the air on Tremont Court NW. Neighbors had gathered in a backyard to welcome roughly three dozen teenage boys from the football team at Union High School, right across the street.
“Rae found out that on Thursday nights, the coaches pay for the boys’ dinner. And we know what it's like, being former educators, to have to dig into your own pocket regularly for whatever it is, food or prizes. And so we decided to treat the guys,” said Michele Coyne, who for years has been doing good deeds in the community with her longtime friend Rae Bunce.
The feast featured dishes that neighbors had prepared, baked beans from Lewandoski’s Market, apples from Versluis Farms, and desert from Sandy’s Donuts.
“It’s nice to have some support on the West Side of some locals, and these ladies and the people in this neighborhood have been giving us food for several years. After practice, they're giving us apples out of the back of their car in the parking lot, and it's just great to see their faces every day and know that they're supporting us,” said senior quarterback and tight end Zander Herring.
Support is something the Red Hawks appreciate after what’s been a rough last year or so. In 2023, their former head coach was fired mid-season for an off-the-field incident that the boys have been trying to move past ever since. Some members of the team quit on the spot. Others didn’t know if they’d be back this season.
“I wasn't going to play football this year. I was going to focus on educational things and whatnot. But my brotherhood, AKA the people who came here beside me and my other seniors, they pulled me back. It's one of the things I am thankful for the most,” said senior Ty Nagelkerk who plays tight end and defensive end.
“The adversity we've been through, it put doubts and questions into our minds about whether we were a family or not, because it was kind of broken apart due to the incidents of last season. So it just showed me I was really cared for and loved, and that's main reason I came back -- for my brothers.”
The 2024 campaign hasn’t been easy either. The Red Hawks are winless through eight games. But through it all, the players from Union continue fighting together.
“We're a family, you know? We’ve got to stay united, and if you can't go through that adversity and whatnot, persevere through it, then it’s not tight no more. We’ve got to stay as one, as a unit,” said senior lineman Jehlani Porter.
Coach Curtis Andrews says his team stays engaged all game, every game. They continue to cheer each other on from the sidelines, even when they’ve fallen behind late in the game. Their opponents have taken notice.
“I've had so many coaches this year in the handshake line just saying ‘I'm proud of your kids, how they stay locked in.’ I've gotten emails. I've gotten messages after our games saying, ‘Your kids are great,’” he said.
Coach Andrews says he believes his team’s attitude will help them tackle the ups and downs of life.
“It’s bigger than just football. It's a game of life, and we try to teach life lessons. A lot of them are picking up what we're actually trying to teach them. I'm happy with the kids. We really haven't had a lot of character issues or a lot of off-the-field issues with our kids. They've been pretty locked in and really committed to the situation,” he said.
Neighbors on the West Side have noticed too, and that’s why they continue to support this team.
“We just fell in love with these boys. They’re the most gracious boys you ever want to meet. And although they have had a rough season, they show up every week. They work hard. They're amazing,” Rae said.
Coach Andrews says he hopes support on the West Side continues to grow. He’d love more help with team dinners, on-the-field volunteers, and would appreciate local businesses hiring his players for summer jobs. In the meantime, the Red Hawks are grateful for the support they already have.
“We’re grateful for them to spend their money on us for food and supplies,” said senior lineman and kicker Alexander Vail.
Union will wrap up the regular season on Friday with a road trip to Detroit where they’ll take on Loyola High School.
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