The traditional charity Red Out game is an honor of Kyle Fernstrom, former NHS varsity basketball manager who passed away from congenital heart disease. The Red Out tradition was created by his mother, Shelley Church, and continues for the seventh year.
Win or lose, this holds more importance than the outcome of the game, for players and Naples High basketball supporters.
“Every year, the Red Out game is usually packed,” says senior varsity basketball player Jett Robinson. “I’m excited for the amount of energy that will be present at the game.”
Although this is Robinson’s first year playing on varsity, he has attended all of the Red Out games of his high school career.
“We wear red jerseys in honor of Kyle,” says Robinson. “We also sell T-shirts and the money goes to the American Heart Association to benefit heart disease research.”
The NHS varsity players sold shirts for $5 each.
New varsity coach Garrett Hull was looking forward to the Red Out game.
“I am looking forward to bringing awareness to heart disease,” says Hull. “Every 1 in every 3 deaths someone dies of heart disease and every 30 seconds someone dies from it, so I believe it is important we bring awareness to the illness.”
Having played at Naples High School during the same time Kyle Fernstrom was basketball manager, this game meant a lot to Hull.
“The Red Out game means a lot to me because of who and what it represents,” says Hull. “Kyle Fernstrom, who we have dedicated the Red Out game to every year was our basketball team manager when I played basketball here at Naples High from 2001-2004.”
Knowing Fernstrom while playing at Naples High School forever touched Hull’s heart.
“He was such an amazing kid who loved the game of basketball, and touched the lives of others through his passion for basketball,” says Hull. “I shared Kyle’s dedication video to our players last week and I know it means just as much to them as it does for me.”
Fernstrom has affected many basketball players, basketball supporters, and students. His story will continue inspiring others. Come to next year’s Red Out game to support the American Heart Association and see how Fernstrom has inspired the Naples community.
