Kendall Flynn is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Canyon High School for AZPreps365.com

North Canyon High School’s football team started its annual summer fundraiser with a goal of raising $1,000.

After 30 days, its campaign had raised $15,000, allowing the team to purchase a field camera, school-branded clothes for the players, and monetary coverage for team dinners and future expenses.

Head coach Jeremy Dieck said this fundraising was the most money the program had raised in 10 years. The program achieved this with the help of the varsity and freshman teams.

North Canyon senior wide receiver Carlos Castillo said the freshman team played a significant role in the fundraising campaign. The players would email 20 friends and family members the link to their fundraiser, encouraging them to invest in their program.

Senior left tackle Jordan Peterson credits text messages with the campaign link.

“The text message was the biggest impact on the campaign,” Peterson said. “That boosted [the profits] way more.”

The players would receive reminders about sending the campaign messages in a group chat to ensure they contributed to the campaign as a team. The Rattlers created Instagram videos for further promotion, discussing the training equipment they needed.

After reaching the $15,000, Dieck said he saw an increase in player morale. He said the campaign’s success showed them the importance of team unity.

“When we work together, we can do stuff,”  Dieck said. “Sometimes I feel like the kids don’t realize the strength in numbers. It’s a team-unity thing.”

Dieck said he wanted the campaign’s success to resonate with the players and help them see how it can translate to on-field performance.

“If one person goes off and does their own thing, we are not successful on the field,” Dieck said. “When they see that they can work together and accomplish a goal, it’s a team builder.”

From the fundraiser, the Rattlers were able to purchase a new field camera that connects to iPads. The endzone camera records during games, allowing them to watch the film on the sideline in real time.

Dieck said the camera is a game changer, especially for linemen, as they can actively see ways to improve for the next play.

“It’s really good for our linemen because side film is more for highlights, but when we get in the endzone, our linemen can see that, ‘Oh yeah, I did miss that guy,’ or, ‘That’s where that guy came from,’” Dieck said. “It benefits your blocking and your tackling when you can actually see what everybody did.”

Along with their field camera, Dieck was able to use some of the proceeds to purchase practice clothing for the athletes. Two shirts, a sleeveless hoodie and two pairs of shorts brought branding to the players, boosting their team morale, Dieck said.

“In the weight room, we say, ‘Hey, today we are wearing black,” Dieck said. “So everyone looks branded.”

After handing out the clothes to players, Dieck took the extras to the middle schools surrounding North Canyon. He said this helps encourage kids to attend North Canyon after middle school.

Dieck dedicates the rest of the money to preparing for future purchases, like the season banquet and feeding the players in pre-game team dinners.

North Canyon is a Title I school where a large percentage of its student population is on reduced-price or free lunch. Dieck said he prioritizes feeding his players before games and ensuring they don’t have to pay for extra expenses.

“Team meals I like them to have on that game day because at least I know they are getting a good meal,” Dieck said.

North Canyon is still in need of new weight room and on-field training equipment. Dieck said he is working on a long-term way to raise money for the program.