HYRUM – A few minutes before they were supposed to take the field in their first-round playoff game against Uintah Friday afternoon, the Mountain Crest Mustang football team gathered around their head coach Jason Lee and his family at midfield. For the past few months, the team, in concert with several anonymous donors, has been working to provide a special chair for Coach Lee’s 6-year-old son Trexton who has cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects Trexton’s motor skills.
Mountain Crest Principal Teri Cutler said Coach Lee’s wife, Lisa, faithfully brings Trexton to every game and carries him up and down the bleachers in a stroller that has become far too small for Trexton.
“She carts him around,” Cutler explained. “They have not missed a football game, home or away, rain and snow and all kinds of weather.”
Other parents took notice and wanted to do something and give back to the Lee family for their dedication to the community. Several donors came together and began working through Cache County School District Occupational Therapist Cathy Szumigala, who prepared the chair specifically to fit Trexton’s situation.
Cutler said the chair was going to cost approximately $3,800 and there was some concern that it might not be completed before the Mustangs’ season concluded.
“It started really coming together, at the most, five weeks ago,” Cutler continued. “We made arrangements to make the donation through the Cache Education Foundation.
“Cathy Szumigala got on it; she thought it would take six weeks before the chair was here once it was ordered. It only took three weeks to get the chair here. Things have fallen into place. It’s been really cool.”
Cutler said Trexton loves football and loves being around the boys and hearing them play football. She said Coach Lee is probably going to hate her now because she made him get emotional.
The Mustangs earned the opportunity to play another game by defeating Uintah 71-6 Friday afternoon. Mountain Crest travels to Stansbury for the second round of the playoffs on Friday.
Wheelchair announcement that was read over the Public Address system prior to the game Friday:
Coach Lee and his family have dedicated many hours to build the spirit of Mountain Crest and Mustang football. It would be difficult to accomplish this if it wasn’t for individuals and families like them in our community.
Lisa, Trexton and the Lee family have been huge supporters of Mustang football over the years. As many of you know, Trexton has some challenges that require constant care from Lisa and the Lee family. As he continues to grow, it has become more and more difficult for Lisa to carry him around. We have all watched her faithfully carry Trexton up and down the bleachers so he can be a part of each game.
Recognizing a need, and with a desire to give back to the Lee family, a handful of anonymous donors and our district office Occupational Therapist Cathy Szumigala, who prepared the chair, fitting it to Trexton’s specific needs, have made it financially possible to provide him a special chair that will help him continue to grow and develop throughout his life.
At this time, we want to present to Trexton and the Lee family the chair and let them know how much we love and appreciate all that they do for us and our Mustang football family. We love you Coach Lee, Lisa, Trexton and the Lee family.