On Saturday November 11th, the Au Sable Valley PAL football teams traveled to Utica University to watch the Pioneers and AVCS alumni Eli Douglas (2022) play. He is the starting Safety for the Pioneers.
The players who traveled to Utica were students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, from both KES and AFES. They began their afternoon with a pick up game of football and pizza. AVCS players were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and event staff from Utica University. The Pal football team was escorted down to the field to make a tunnel for the players. Pioneer players gave our kiddos high fives and hellos before the game. At halftime our little Patriots were announced on the field. Once the game concluded, our students made a tunnel again for Pioneer players. Eli Douglas stayed on the field after the game and motioned for the Pal team to come to him. All of the kiddos went running. They were greeted with high fives, fist pumps and pictures galore. Eli’s other teammates started to come back on to the field. All the players who came out signed autographs, ran routes with the kids, played catch, took pictures, asked how school was going for them and what AVCS was like.
Pioneer coaches and players were impressed with the support Au Sable Valley was giving to Eli. But also highlighted how, as a Sophomore, Eli is a leader on and off the field for the team.
Our students were so proud and excited to be given this opportunity. Many of our students started to state that they would like to play in college or go to a college like Utica University.
Eli Douglas started playing sports at a young age and continued to play for the Youth Commission and AVCS. As Eli got older he gave back to the town youth programs, by becoming an official and a Playground’s counselor. Eli is a wonderful role model and we are all so proud of him!
