Clinton County schools will be participating in the statewide Military Appreciation Night for basketball games on Jan. 20-21.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association is encouraging schools statewide “to take part in a statewide military appreciation night on January 20, honoring active and veteran United States Armed Forces members at athletic contests,” according to a release from the OHSAA.
“Education-based athletics in the great state of Ohio are far more than winning and losing,” OHSAA assistant commissioner Jerry Snodgrass said. “High school athletics encompass everyone. They are a school and community event. This entire school involvement helps develop student leaders on the courts and fields of play as well as in the classrooms and student groups that support their teams. This initiative is designed to emphasize these great student leaders in our schools and their support for our military.”
Three Clinton County schools are hosting teams on Jan. 20 — Wilmington will host McClain, Blanchester is hosting Felicity and East Clinton welcomes Hillsboro to Larrick Road.
Clinton-Massie is on the road Jan. 20 but will host Blanchester on Jan. 21 and will hold its Military Appreciation Night against the Wildcats.
“Many schools that do not compete on Jan. 20 have asked to hold special nights that same week,” Snodgrass said. “We have given our complete support and have promoted them as ‘tipping off’ our respect to the military.”
At Wilmington, all current and retired service members will be admitted free of charge at the game and be recognized before the National Anthem. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, white and blue, athletic director Troy Diels said.
At Blanchester, all current and retired service members will be admitted free at the game and be recognized before the National Anthem. All students, and fans from Blanchester and Felicity are invited to wear red, white, and blue as a way to show support for our military service men and women, according to BHS athletic director Bryan Pennix.
At East Clinton, athletic director Jim Marsh said retired and active military will be admitted free of charge. A ceremony will be held between the reserve and varsity games recognizing local Honor Flight as well as retired and active military in attendance. A short program also will be held prior to the performance of the National Anthem.
At Clinton-Massie on Jan. 21, athletic director Cindy Running said all veterans and active military will be admitted free of charge for the game with BHS.
The release from the OHSAA said other ways to honor the military on this night would be designating military members as honorary captains, and dance and band performances that will honor the armed forces.
The OHSAA release extended the Military Appreciation Night festivities to the student sections of the participating schools.
“Student sections can play a role in this event with creative themes that will honor military members while also showing school pride,” the release said. “They can submit pictures and videos of their themes to be considered for the 2017 OHSAA Battle for the Golden Megaphone contest by posting content to Twitter and Instagram, using #GoldenMegaphone.”
