Abu Daramy and Jake Hinz, former students of Gigi Elliott, joined her mid-field for the coin toss.
For the past 37 years, the Westerville North vs. Westerville South varsity football game has become a cherished community tradition that has drawn thousands of spectators and created lifelong memories for those who come to cheer on their team. The game played on Friday, October 31, was no exception. What some may not know is that much more happens at this event than football.
For starters, both bands gathered on the field to play the National Anthem together – a custom that began in 1977.
Then the honorary captain of the game made her way to the 50 yard line for the coin toss. This year it was Westerville native Gigi Elliott (Rohner), a 1980 graduate of South and beloved teacher at Robert Frost Elementary School. She has been battling cancer since January. She was escorted by Ron Jones, the first athletic director at North and South, and retired Westerville North high school principal and community legend Jim McCann. Captains from each team who participated in the coin toss, much to Elliott’s surprise, were her former first grade students, Abu Daramy and Jake Hinz. At the beginning of the third quarter, both schools joined in a friendly rivalry and sold “Cookies for Cancer.” The $600 that was raised from that effort was donated to the American Cancer Society, in honor of Elliott.
Also recognized were the first-ever coaches of the North/South match-up, Ron Balconi and Ray Dusenbury. Each addressed their former teams before the start of the game. Throughout the evening Westerville graduate and former School Board member Rick Bannister read history and trivia facts over the loudspeaker.