
To help students, parents and coaches prepare for the fall season, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted a Red/White Night last Friday. (Supplied photos)
Marist kicks off season with Red/White Night
By Kelly White
With autumn just around the corner, fall athletes are emerging to shine.
To help students, parents and coaches prepare for the season, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted a Red/White Night last Friday in honor of its school colors.
At the event, fall sports teams were able to mingle and scrimmage while parents had the opportunity to meet the coaches first-hand.
“We hope the event gives prospective families a feel for the warm and welcome atmosphere at Marist as well as, the excitement generated by our sports teams,” Eric Simpson, Athletic Director at Marist, said. “Our students enjoy performing, interacting with future RedHawks, and connecting with their friends.”
Red/White Night is Marist’s annual event to kick-off the scholastic athletic season, Simpson said.
“Marist parents received important information specific to their student’s participation on our fall athletic teams,” Simpson said. “Prospective families that participated in our summer camps were also invited.”
More than 2000 people attended the night, made up of Marist students and their family members.
“Red/White Night was designed as a way to generate excitement for the upcoming school year and our fall sport season,” Simpson said. “It is a fun night for our current families, alumni, and future RedHawks to gather and celebrate long standing friendships and develop new ones.”
The event began with informational parent meetings for each of the school’s fall sports teams, consisting of: boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ cross country, sideline cheer and dance, football, boys’ soccer, girls’ swimming, girls’ tennis, and girls’ volleyball.
Following the meetings, fall sport families and the entire Marist community were invited to join in on volleyball, soccer, and football scrimmages, where students were able to practice and have fun with one another in a non-competitive manor.
In addition, everyone in attendance was able to walk the sideline dance and cheer teams perform.
To keep younger family members busy during the free event, Marist staff also hosted a small festival of games for elementary aged children and free food and beverages for all in the East parking lot.
“Red/White Night is a chance for everyone in the neighborhood and families around the area to experience the Marist athletic programs and how we as a family go about things,” Jayson Harris-Woodward, 17, and Marist football player, of South Holland, said.
Coaches agreed.
“The thing I like most is the energy Red/White Night brings to the Marist community,” Ron Dawczak, Head Football Coach, said. “It is the only time all year that each fall sports team plays at Marist on the same night. I couldn’t think of a better way to start off a new school year.”
“Red/White night is always an exciting kick off to our volleyball season and brings our entire program together for the first time with all of our families,” Jordan Vidovic, Head Volleyball coach, said. “Our varsity team gets the chance to take the court for the first time as a team and show our families the work we have been putting in. We also get to support our fellow fall athletes and teams which is very important to us as we all get going into our exciting season openers.”

To help students, parents and coaches prepare for the fall season, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted a Red/White Night on Friday, Aug. 20.
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