On a recent Friday morning, student drop-off at eight DeLand-area elementary schools was alive with excitement. The usual hum of the early school-day rush was replaced with the sound of high-fives, cheers and laughter, as Stetson football players took their game off the field and into the heart of the community.

These student-athletes weren’t wearing helmets or pads, but instead, their warm smiles and positive energy became the most valuable equipment they carried.

‘High Five Fridays’

Stetson football players participated in “High Five Fridays,” a new initiative designed to build connections between the team and local schools. 

On Friday, Aug. 29 — one day before their season opener — players and coaches visited DeLand’s Blue Lake Elementary, Citrus Grove Elementary, George Marks Elementary, Starke Elementary, Woodland Elementary, St. Barnabas Episcopal School and Freedom Elementary, along with McGinnis Elementary in DeLeon Springs.

Players and coaches greeted students, from the youngest kindergartners to the older students, as they arrived at schools to start their day. The Hatters lined the school entranceways, giving high-fives, encouraging the kids and reminding them that their community cared about them.

The initiative is a continuation of Stetson’s efforts to engage with its community and create lasting, positive impacts.

In return, the looks on the young students’ faces were priceless. Some kids ran up with excitement, eager to give the athletes a high-five, while others took a moment to take it all in. For many of the children, seeing the Stetson players up close was not only inspiring, but also served as a reminder that they too could achieve great things with hard work and dedication.

Support from Unexpected Places

In a world where many young people can feel disconnected from their communities or discouraged by external pressures, initiatives such as High Five Fridays serve as a powerful reminder that encouragement and support can come from unexpected places. Stetson football players may be focused on achieving success in the classroom and on the field, but their involvement in the community shows that their true value lies in the impact they make off the field as well, said Mike Jasper, Stetson’s first-year head football coach.

“High Five Fridays are an excellent way to not only engage our fan base and community, but to also be a positive influence in the lives of young people,” commented Jasper, who participated in similar events as a college and professional player. “These types of events not only encourage the children, but also provides our young men perspective on what truly matters, which is being a light to future generations.”

On this day, as the final high-fives were exchanged and the last students made their way into their classrooms, the DeLand community was reminded of the power of connection. These small moments — a high-five, a smile, a few encouraging words — can leave a lasting impression on a young person’s heart, showing them that they matter.

In the effort to continue strengthening ties between the university and the greater community, next up is HatterFest, Friday, Sept. 19, 6-9 p.m., in Downtown DeLand.