- November 28, 2024
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The players and coaches of Foundation Academy’s football team celebrated their growing family Monday, Nov. 15, with a gender reveal party for head coach Andre Walker and his wife, Whitley.
“It wouldn’t be right if everybody couldn’t be here,” said coach Walker, who this season took the head coaching job after six years as defensive coordinator. “They’ve been supporting me since I first got here, we all support each other that’s what we do.”
The Walkers learned of their impending arrival in October and were eager to share the news.
“This is the coach’s first baby,” said Jen Zagame, mother of Foundation Academy linebacker Sam Zagame. “Once they made it public that they were pregnant, he said it would be fun to include the team. They really are like a little family.”
The timing of the party was beneficial; Friday’s playoff loss to Victory Christian Academy meant the players needed to hand in their uniforms after school. But the season still ended on a high note.
“It’s another opportunity for them to spend time together,” said Jen Zagame. “There’s so much intense stuff going on during football season that it’s really nice to have some opportunities to just be silly, play games and have fun.”
Football moms, coaches and other school volunteers pitched in with food, party favors, cupcakes, and some unique game ideas.
Coaches and players were split into three teams to compete in a blind taste test of baby food. Guessing the flavor was not as easy, and even less appetizing. “It makes you feel sorry for the baby,” exclaimed coach Walker as he tasted what might have been strained carrots.
Players were then given baby bottles full of Gatorade to see who could chug the fastest. But the most visually off-putting event was eating melted candy bars from a diaper. All trick, no treat.
After the games, kicker Ian Garcia prepared to punt a football, filled with colored powder, for the big gender reveal. Cheers and embraces went viral as the ball burst into a blue cloud.
A baby brother is on the way, and the family is even stronger.