‘Just crazy to think about’: Dexter athletics could win $1M football prize
By Matt Junker, Bangor Daily News Sports Editor
DEXTER — Dexter Regional High School athletics got some very exciting news on Sept. 25. And a former New England Patriot helped them celebrate.
In a pre-recorded video, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski congratulated the central Maine high school for receiving a $25,000 grant as one of 25 finalists in T-Mobile’s “Friday Night 5G Lights Sweepstakes.”
And Dexter is still in the running for a $1 million grand prize in the national competition, which celebrates how high school football brings communities together.
“Shoutout to Dexter Regional High School,” Gronkowski said in the video. “Congratulations on being a top 25 finalist in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights.”
The former NFL star noted that more than 2,100 schools around the country participated in the contest.
“But your school spirit stood out big time,” Gronkowski said to the Dexter Tigers community. “Now, you’re in the finals.”
Along with that initial $25,000 grant and a chance to win the $1 million, Dexter is also getting a special celebration at the school courtesy of T-Mobile. That day of games, giveaways and free food is set for Oct. 18, when the Tigers football team hosts Houlton at 1 p.m.
Adam Gudroe, Dexter High School’s athletic director and assistant principal, said in a press release that the school’s gratitude is hard to put into words.
“To be in the running for the $1,000,000 grand prize is just crazy to think about,” Gudroe said. “The $25,000 that we have already won will go a long way toward improving our athletic facility for our students. The chance of winning the grand prize would go even further toward providing an amazing resource for our small community.”
The school is “so thankful” to T-Mobile for the opportunity, Gudroe said.
The national winner of T-Mobile’s contest will get a $1 million field upgrade along with a renovated weightroom courtesy of Gronk Fitness, a fitness brand started by Gronkowski’s family.
That grand prize package will also include a consultation with “stadium experience experts,” along with an all-expenses-paid trip for 16 school representatives to the SEC Championship game in December.
The national contest winner is determined by community voting, which is open through Oct. 24. Supporters are allowed to vote once per day. The link to vote for Dexter is here at https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights/a.