COMMUNITY SUPPORT

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS WITH THE Panther Pit Crew

Folks in Liberty Hill might be spread out but, as Clint Stephenson says, everyone comes together for Friday night football games. That’s how the Panther Pit Crew started its fundraising efforts for students—as a group of dudes who gathered simply to hold tailgate parties before games.

Clint and fellow co-founder Scott Supak started tailgating and cooking at the old high school stadium behind the Liberty Hill Elementary School. “We’d give away food and stuff and tried to change the atmosphere and bring the community together,” Clint says. “We're just a group of really good guys who like doing stuff for the community.”

After 15 friends jumped on board, the Panther Pit Crew was established as a nonprofit to raise money for students. The group has more than doubled since then, despite last year's "virtual-everything" challenges.

THE TAILGATES

Throughout the year, the Crew holds tailgate parties pepped up by cheerleaders and the school band, and student groups can earn points by showing their school spirit through games like corn hole, ring toss, and pie-in-the-face. Crew members have their own fun by cooking all sorts of delicious dishes, from buffalo chicken wings, rib-eye steaks and jalapeno poppers to fajitas and deep-fried corn dogs.

Tailgates take place before football games, but the Crew has reached out to all types of school clubs, from robotics and cross-country to cheerleaders and Project Graduation. In 2020, the Crew...

Increased the number of teams participating in their annual golf tournament and raised $17,000. Held a Virtual Tailgate contest; student groups and organizations submitted videos to make their case for grant money. Members successfully recruited and doubled their membership. This is a sign, President John

Cearly says, that there are always more individuals looking for ways to support the schools and the community.

THE MISSION

John says the Crew is very excited to have tailgates in person this year. "Last year was tough for us because we were unable to get out face-toface to promote our brand and talk about all the great things we are planning and doing for the community. We are looking forward to having bigger and more resourceful tailgates this year."

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS WITH THE Panther Pit Crew

During the year-end tailgate party, the Crew will again provide grant money to groups. “One case where everybody gets a trophy is a good thing,” Clint says. Last year, the Crew distributed nearly $20,000 they raised while staying safe during the pandemic. This year John estimates they will be able to give away $30,000 to teams and student groups.

As such, the Panther Pit Crew mission is to support the whole community by supporting all the ISD organizations. "We continually strive to raise more money and partner for more resources so we can build awareness within the community. That said, our internal mission is to add more great individuals to our group to help us; those who are also looking to achieve the goals of Panther Pit Crew."

The group is open to new members year-round, and they provide updates on events and fundraisers on their Facebook page. All are welcome at their tailgate parties and members are happy to share information about membership as well. John adds, "We only ask that those interested in membership be sponsored by a current member who can share the mission and values of the Panther Pit Crew prior to applying."

Scan the code above for more information. The Panther Pit Crew hosts a tailgate at every home Varsity football game. Free food is served while it lasts.

Festivities begin around 5pm until 30 minutes before kickoff.

Email lhpantherpitcrew@gmail.com for more information or to make a donation.

HOME GAMES

Friday, October 15 vs. Marble Falls

Friday, November 5 vs. Austin Northeast

The Panther Pit Crew is a 501(c)3 and is an all-volunteer group that provides financial support to Liberty Hill school organizations.

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BRICK AGGREGATE

Panther Football Honors America's Heroes

On Friday nights, the community unites at Panther stadium to cheer on its football team and celebrate all the students and organizations that make Liberty Hill ISD special. Last month, the team used the field as an opportunity to pay tribute to America’s heroes.

Superintendent Steve Snell was inspired to make Liberty Hill ISD a light and he pitched the idea of a military tribute to the football team. “With all the negativity we’re seeing in our country, with COVID or politics or the world, what went on in Afghanistan, and what’s going on in our borders, there’s a lot of negative,” he says. “Liberty Hill ISD wants to be that light for the community and an example of the good things in our country and what’s great about America.”

TEAM PLAYERS

The players were immediately on board with the tribute goal, especially since their “Senior Call to Leadership” retreat last Spring featured a brotherhood theme and military members who spoke to them about leadership. Superintendent Snell says, “I thought the tribute would be a good way to bring back the lessons of that night last year and demonstrate that our seniors are great examples of our vision."

Before the second home game of the year against Del Valle, the players burst out of the locker room carrying a service or American flag, then made their way solemnly to the 13 yard line... one yard for every Marine lost in Afghanistan last month.

Taking a knee, they honored all the heroes in their lives with a moment of silence. “Every person on that team has a classmate going into the military, or a family member or neighbor in the military,”

Superintendent Snell says.

The tribute was as much for the players as it was for the military.

“These young men have been through a lot, with the death of a coach, COVID—they have a lot on their minds. Getting beyond the negative is a difference maker for them,” Superintendent Snell says.

For senior Andon Thomas, the tribute was about honoring his dad, who served 20 years in the Army; he plans to follow in his dad’s footsteps. His teammate, Chance Pogue, plans to follow his brother. “I just think so highly of service members,” says Chance, whose brother serves in the Navy. “They do so much for us. Often, we take that for granted. To be able to show appreciation in that way, for their sacrifice and what they do for us each and every day, that’s a really big thing for me. It’s something we need to do more often.”

Carter Hudson, whose brother is also in the Navy, wholeheartedly agrees. “Anytime I see someone in a military uniform, I try to say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ The amount of things they do for us and other citizens in our country—I think it’s incredible.”

WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUDGE BILL GRAVELL SHARED THE ORIGINAL POST WITH HIS COUNTY-WIDE FOLLOWING, ALL BUT GUARANTEEING A VIRAL VICTORY FOR THE PANTHER NATION.

TEAM ADMIN

Several people came together to make the tribute happen, including Coach Kent Walker, who cleared some time in the team's schedule for Superintendent Snell to talk to the players. Marsha Hood, who works at the ISD administration office, and her husband ordered the flags; and Construction Manager Trent Shifflett procured a generous financial donation from McCoy’s Building Supply. Finally, Athletics Administrative Assistant Gina Ketchem organized the flags before the game.

“We’re a part of something much bigger than ourselves,” Superintendent Snell says about the tribute’s impact. “We live in the greatest country in the world, with the greatest military, and we want to pay our respects to the fallen Marines, the military as a whole, and our friends and family who serve. It was a good night for our community and it’s all about being that positive light for the community.”