09/02/2026
A quick look ahead to next week; next week is our Awareness game. The purpose of our awareness game is to expose our kids to battles others are fighting, the groups that help them, and the benefit to getting involved to help others. For our first awareness game here at North, we are partnering with the Derek Schwarting Legacy Foundation.
Derek was an all state QB at McFarland High School and attended UW-Lacrosse when he had to have emergency open heart surgery due to an infection that spread to his heart. He created a scholarship fund at 22 to those going into the medical field as a thank you because that's the type of guy he was. I had the privilege to coach with Derek the last two years in McFarland and he was a dedicated coach who always lit up the room and never seemed to have a bad day. Sadly, Derek passed away in a car accident this spring, devastating the McFarland community and those who were lucky to know him.
Shortly after his passing, his family started the Derek Schwarting Legacy Foundation in his honor, in their words “Inspired by the way Derek lived, This foundation was created to encourage kindness, connection, service, and hope in our communities. We strive to support initiatives that help others, create opportunities for meaningful impact, and carry forward Derek's belief that even the smallest acts of compassion can change a life.”
Members of Derek's family and foundation will be coming to practice on Tuesday to talk about Derek, what they strive to do with the foundation, and how it benefits others. I am so excited for our Northstar family to learn about Derek, their foundation, and their benefit to others.
One of things we are doing is having shirts made for the event, which can be found at this link https://bsg.chipply.com/northfootball/?action=viewall
Due to my inability to keep a schedule (Sorry!) the store has to close tomorrow night at midnight to make sure they make it in time for the game on Friday. All profits raised from the shirts go directly to the foundation. No one is required to purchase one, but I am hoping that families and players will chose to and wear it during pregame warmups.
I am sorry for the very long post, but our awareness game is my favorite thing we do in this program for what our kids get to learn and experience.
Always North!
Coach Swegs