'Red Out' Competition at Seaholm, Groves Game to Honor Late Football Coach

's school colors are mauroon and white, while prefers white and green. However when the Maples take on the Falcons for the annual inter-city football match-up this Friday, organizers are hoping the stands will be sea of red.

Students, parents and fans are encouraged to purchase $10 red t-shirts to raise funds for the American Heart Association before and at the game — a move inspired by the loss of , who passed away from a heart attack in May.

“He was a good man on and off the field," Seaholm senior Neal Page told the Birmingham Board of Education Tuesday night. "He was a great role model.”

The decision to "red out" the Seaholm and Groves game grew from an idea by three Birmingham high school students: Page, Emily Cacos, a junior from Groves, and Christy Wells, a Seaholm senior. All three are members of the service club Interact, through which they organized efforts to sell the t-shirts and encourage others to wear red in honor of Deane.

Deane passed away at his Troy home on May 30 at the age of 52. He had just been appointed head coach at Seaholm after working as an assistant coach under then-head coach Chris Fahr since 2008.

The Red Out will also be part of the competition between Seaholm and Groves, with students from both schools competing to see who sells the most t-shirts by the end of the game.

“We’re not only doing this as a friendly competition between our two schools but we’re doing this for a cause, to raise awareness for the (American Heart Association).” Wells said.

The Seaholm and Groves football game begins at 7 p.m. at Seaholm High School Friday, with a kicking off at 6:30 p.m. To purchase a t-shirt before the game, visit these websites for either high school:

• Seaholm: http://honor.americanheart.org/goto/seaholmRed Out
• Groves: http://honor.americanheart.org/goto/grovesredout