Receiver Brad Fawcett’s family did not care about the drive.
They didn’t care the trip from Grapevine, Texas, took eight hours, and the trip from Baldwin City to Sioux City, Iowa, tacked on another five.
Baker University’s football team was in the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, and they were not about to miss it.
“Of course we made the trip for the game,” Dustin Fawcett, Brad’s 17-year-old brother said. “Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, I’m still glad we came.”
Dustin traveled with his parents, Brian and Robin, his younger brother Jack and both his grandparents – Myron and M’liss.
In total, the family traveled 1,600 miles in a span of 48 hours to watch their Baker Wildcats take on the Morningside Mustangs. While the result – a 65-27 defeat – was not what the
Fawcett’s and the rest of the fans had hoped for, the trip was worth the wait.
“It’s the first time we’ve been to the playoffs since, what, 1992?” Director of Student Activities Cassie Gilmore said. “We wanted to make sure all the students had an option to go and support the team.”
Sixty-seven football fans took advantage of that option, paying the $5 necessary to book a seat on the bus that took the fans to Morningside.
Student Activities Council purchased the tickets for the people on the bus, but the vehicle itself was donated.
“We’ve always had a lot of people at the games,” former football player Josh Wood said, who is also a member of SAC. “So it’s a big deal for the football team. It does help the guys out, seeing us out there cheering them on.”
Illustrating the devotion, the sleep-deprived fans loaded the bus at 6 a.m. to ensure they made it to snowy Sioux City in time for the game. Wood said the fans had to put the same amount of energy into the game as the players.
“This season was amazing,” Wood said. “The whole team came together and played as one, everyone stepped up to be leaders.”
The pride was not limited to current and former players, as the entire bus was pleased with the team’s efforts and the journey to the national playoffs.
“I think our team did a great job and had a good season,” Gilmore said. “These players are ready to take the football program back to where it needs to be. I’m so glad the students were a part of it.”