As the 2013–2014 Viking football season kicks off, members of the Eastern High School Football Booster Club are offering a rare opportunity to National Football League aficionados.
With raffle tickets already for sale, patrons have a unique opportunity to own a piece of sports memorabilia — one of two Baltimore Ravens helmets that have been signed by Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco.
Bob Marshall, a member of the Eastern High School football booster club, said Flacco makes a point to visit the school at least once a year to donate shoes, socks and other sports-related equipment.
After Eastern High School football coach Dan Spittal obtained the two helmets, Flacco offered to sign them both.
“From what I understand, they’re a very athletic family,” Marshall said.
Already off to a decent start, the Vikings won their Sept. 12 opening game against Washington Township, 63–19.
Joe Flacco’s younger brother Tom is a senior at Eastern High School and quarterback of the football team. During the game against Washington Township, Tom had a great game that included a 98-yard touchdown run.
The first time Eastern High School had beaten Washington Township in the last 10 years was last year with Flacco at the helm.
While Joe is an Audubon High School alum, Marshall said that Tom came from Camden Catholic High School, following his coach over to Eastern High School.
With a photo of the Washington Township game scoreboard saved to his cellphone, Marshall is optimistic about the Vikings’ 2013 season, even this early on.
“The chances are real good that we’ll go all the way to states,” Marshall said.
He added that Williamstown and Cherokee high schools will be the teams to beat, but he does not doubt the Vikings will be able to come out victorious.
Raffle tickets are $5 each and will be sold up until Oct. 18, with the drawing taking place the night of Eastern’s homecoming game against Cherokee.
“With the budget being tight, teams are relying more on booster clubs for things they need,” Marshall said.
Booster clubs are comprised of parents of Eastern High School athletes and are designated by each sport. Marshall said the main role of the football booster club is to volunteer at games and fundraisers, along with raising money to support the team.
Marshall said all funds raised from the booster club’s raffle will go to things the players need, such as spiritwear, game day meals, and water and hoagies for the opposing teams.
The booster club also sponsors several football scholarships, including the “Unsung Hero” Award, the “Scholar Athlete” Award and the “Leadership” Award.
Marshall said that the booster club has never hosted a fundraiser quite like the raffle.
“We’ve never been so lucky,” Marshall said. “And probably won’t be again for awhile.”
In addition to the raffle, Marshall said the football booster club also raises money through selling advertisements for the Eastern Regional Vikings Football program.
Not too far behind the helmet raffle, the booster club also plans to hold a casino night for adults on Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Berlin VFW on Chestnut Avenue in Berlin. Doors open at 6 p.m., with games starting at 7 p.m. The event is also being co-sponsored by Special Needs Parents Educators and Kids.
For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, contact Marshall at 719–0109 or via email at bobmarshall5@verizon.net. Tickets can also be purchased through members of the Eastern High School football team or booster club.
