'Football Family' raises funds, spirit

The A&M-Commerce football team has a new addition to their support system this season with the founding of the Lions Football Family. The organization, made up of parents and fans of the football players, raises funds and organizes events to create a "Championship Atmosphere," according to their brochure.

Lions Football Family – a non-profit organizations independent of the university – was established by the organization's President Tammy Sligar, who is also mother of junior linebacker Logan Sligar. She said when Logan decided to transfer to A&M-Commerce from TCU, there was something missing about the school and program.

"He chose here because he loved Coach [Guy] Morriss, but there seemed to be some things that were lacking, and I don't know why," Sligar said. "I'm sure budget shortfalls, like with everybody these days, was a huge part of that. I thought let's just start a support organization and see what we can do to try and supplement the budget and help in any way that we possibly can."

Recognized donors give from $100 to $10,000, all of which goes toward purchases for the football team and corresponding events. Unlike in other fundraising or booster organizations, giving more does not mean extra perks.

"This is all about the kids and the passion of the sport," Sligar said. "We kind of feel that, if we go buy season tickets and shirts and stuff like that, we're just taking money away from the kids. What we have found is that people are giving what they can and they're giving sacrificially, and they're giving because they're passionate about the program."

So far, Lions Football Family has raised over $20,000 and used it to buy warm-ups for the team to wear on away games, running shoes for each player, half-time energy bars, and t-shirts for each Lions win.

"The players have come up with their own slogan this year, ‘Make It Personal,'" Sligar said. "The win t-shirts will have different graphics always with the A&M-Commerce logo on it. The entire team will receive this t-shirt after each win. It'll give them extra workout clothes and they can show up in the workout room wearing Commerce stuff instead of everybody else's apparel."

Lions Football Family is not just about raising money for player amenities. The organization's goal is to also raise the level of community involvement and support.

"One of the main things I noticed when I first cam here is, unlike around other campuses, there doesn't seem to be spirit flags anywhere," she said. "There's no blue and gold anywhere, and that's one thing we are desperately trying to change."

Sligar said she has been in contact with local businesses about getting spirit flags on their premises for the first home game of the season on Sept. 22. The organization will also be tailgating before every home game. On Oct. 8 and Nov. 5, Lions Football Family will be feeding the entire team and their families as a part of the event Feed the Lions.

Although it has grown quickly within a month and a half of operation, Lions Football Family is still looking to become even more of an impact.

"We want it to be the ‘Twelfth Man Foundation' of Commerce," Sligar said. "When there is a need, we want to be able to fill it and be able to give the team what they need and be a support group as big as we possibly can."

Sligar said the A&M-Commerce Athletic Department, who did not respond to a request for comment as of press time, has given their support to Lions Football Family.

"They're in support with us," she said. "We're going through some development pains and having to work through some issues, but they're behind us and accepting us."

More importantly, Sligar said the players have responded well to the fundraising group. When the Lions went to play in Iowa earlier this month, Lions Football Family organized a trip for members and supporters.

"Up in Iowa, we had about 35 people," she said. "After the game, we were all at the same restaurant. It was very emotional in more ways than one, All of the parents and people that were there lined up on the street as the kids came off the bus, and it was a slow clap, no one really said anything, but each one of the kids came off the bus and hugged everybody in that row. This team is such a class act, they are just so incredible."

Sligar said anyone who wants to donate to the group can call her at (404)626-4604.  A website with the option to donate via credit card is currently in the works.