Blue Wahoos Partnership With Local HS Soccer Team Provides New Uniforms 

An opportunity for the West Florida High boys soccer team to work as volunteer parking attendants at Blue Wahoos baseball games this past summer brought dividends.

Taking part in a work-fund project, the team of 34 student-athletes worked 12 games and 205 volunteer hours, enabling them the ability to purchase new uniforms for Jaguars upcoming season.

“We don’t even know the last time our team has been able to buy new uniforms,” said Allison Brewton, a parental coordinator of the team’s volunteer efforts. Her son, Matthew Brewton, is a junior on the West Florida High team.

“We were very blessed to be able to raise this kind of money for the boys to get brand new uniforms this year. And it will be visible and obvious of how hard they work,” she said.

“So the boys were super excited to get in there, pitch in and work, get off the soccer field for awhile and have a little bit of team bonding time. It was a good experience for them.”

The team was presented a $10,000 check by the Blue Wahoos on Oct. 25, during a quarter break in the second annual First City Bowl football game featuring the West Florida against Pensacola High at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

The game was part of a tri-fold event, presented by Cox Mobile, that featured a Halloween trick-or-treat experience for kids, the football and game and post-game fireworks show. It was the second time in October that Cox Mobile partner with an event at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

This project with volunteer parking help was an initial venture for the Blue Wahoos as well. Team president Jonathan Griffin learned of the team’s interest in working to raise money for the uniforms and partner in helping with baseball operations.

“They came out and worked games during the course of several months to earn money for their program and reach a goal that we were able to make sure happened for them,” Griffith said.

“This is a first for us with parking (help), because this is really the first group that has really gone after it,” Griffith said. “And they did a great job.

“We presented this as, hey, this a great opportunity for you all, and then they took it and ran with it. And they were out there all those days in the hot summer sun. It’s one of those things where now they are reaping the rewards.”

High school and youth league teams often seek ways to raise money for needed expenses. The Blue Wahoos early in 2024 donated their previous field top to a high school team in Alabama that won a video application contest.

West Florida High moved its final home football game this season to Blue Wahoos Stadium to play in the First City Bowl. The Jaguars boys soccer team reached out early in the 2024 season about a parking opportunity.

West Florida begins its soccer season on Nov. 5 against Pensacola High. The soccer season for boys and girls teams in Florida runs through mid-January before the post-season starts.

“It is a great opportunity for us and we take every opportunity we can get to partner,” said West Florida athletic director Todd Leonard. “(Jaguars soccer team) want to do that. They get to serve and make money while they are doing it.

“And this is way to get the team out in the community and a way to build PR for the team and the school and help the community.”

Revenue from the Oct. 25 football game enabled the Blue Wahoos to make a donation as well.

“This is definitely something we want to continue,” Griffith said. “We are look for other groups in the community that want to have opportunity to earn money and give back to the community and for us to partner with.”