Latrobe football advances in T-Mobile school spirit competition; ‘multi-million-dollar’ grand prize at stake

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 4:25 PM

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Latrobe wants fans from all over town to show their school spirit and turn this football season into one big pep rally.

The district has advanced past the first round of a nationwide social media-driven competition called “T-Mobile 5G Friday Night Lights,” which recognizes small towns and their love of their high school football teams.

Latrobe is one of 300 schools to win $5,000 and is in the running to become one of 16 semifinalists to receive $25,000. Those will be announced Oct. 10.

One last-standing winner will get a “multi-million-dollar” grand prize. Greensburg Salem, Mt. Pleasant, Belle Vernon and Derry also have applied.

T-Mobile will present a check to Latrobe officials at next week’s home game against Armstrong at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

“Not only does this competition give us the opportunity to upgrade our football facility, but it also provides us with grant money to improve other aspects of all of our athletic programs,” Latrobe athletic director Zac Heide said. “Through T-Mobile 5G Friday Night Lights, we are able to further engage our community and get them involved in all things happening at Greater Latrobe, both athletically and academically.”

Prize money is aimed at renovations to stadiums, such as turf or grass installation, scoreboards, lights, weight room updates or otherwise, but the winnings can be used for other upgrades in a district.

Former NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski is endorsing the campaign and told entrants they have a chance to “Take your home-field advantage to a whole new level.”

Schools have to apply to the season-long contest, describing their town and its passion for Friday night football, and then show its community support.

Fans can participate by taking random photos on game days, or around town, and posting them on Instagram with the tags @TMobile, and @greater_latrobe_sd, and the hashtags #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes.

The more likes the better.

Heide said signs will be posted around the community to increase public awareness, including at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The Wildcats’ mascot will make appearances at local businesses for photo opportunities.

With its rich history, Latrobe thought it would be perfect to be a spotlight town.

“The history behind the City of Latrobe and Greater Latrobe School District makes us the perfect match to come out on top and win the grand prize,” Heide said. “Simply put, the town of Latrobe revolves around football. The home of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, the annual Steelers Friday Night Lights practice at Memorial Stadium, and the first-ever fully professional football team. I cannot forget to mention a few famous past Wildcats in Mr. Arnold Palmer and Mr. Fred Rogers, who have done so much for our community and others across the globe.

“Also, the next time you treat yourself to a banana split, just remember where it came from.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe