Sports Mama Review: FOTO Vision Personalized Rally Towel

Our season opener is just one day away!!! It will have been a whole 464 days since our last game... yep, I counted. I'm thankful, nervous, and excited all at the same time!

Thankful because I honestly didn't know if we'd even get here. As you know football is a Fall sport... we're in February. High School football was a no-go in the Fall here in Virginia. In fact, there are still many school districts who are not allowing football, or high school sports at all for that matter. 

I'm nervous for a couple of different reasons. The boys usually have 4 weeks to get ready for their first game, this season they had two. Will they be ready after such a long hiatus? Will playing in such frigid temps affect their play? I'm also nervous because No. 1 is the starting Varsity quarterback! He's been a quarterback since he was 8 so I know he will be just fine, but the mama bear in me can't help but be a little anxious. 

And I'm excited because a) football is back and b) NO. 1 IS THE STARTING VARSITY QUARTERBACK!!! It's his time to shine. And it's my time to cheer louder than ever before! I've got my heated stadium seat, thermal socks, beanie, scarf, gloves, and blanket in our team colors of course, my cowbell, and this awesome personalized rally towel from FOTO Vision!

I absolutely LOVE it, mamas!!! The most obvious reason is the fact that they can be 100% personalized. Simply upload the photo of your choice and add any additional artwork you'd like, including text! The images are printed from edge to edge. FOTO Vision uses a dye-sublimation heat transfer process that allows them to print high-resolution photography. Below is a picture of the mock up.

The quality is equally as great. These 100% polyester, machine washable towels are supplied by Pro Towels, the largest promotional towel supplier in the industry. They've supplied both professional and college athletic teams with their sports rally towels!

And last but most definitely not least, they are only $6.99!!! Say what?! I mean, you can barely get a combo at your favorite fast food burger joint for that. Even Coach Hubby was amazed at the price. These rally towels would make great Senior Night or end of season gifts! I'm planning on ordering them for our entire coaching staff.

Ready to order your own, click HERE! Be sure to use promo code SPORTSMAMA21 to save 10%. You can order personalized beach towels, blankets and more!

Wish us luck. GO SPARTANS!!!

UPDATE: WE WON!!!!

*** Click HERE to read my review on their plush blankets!

*** Disclaimer: FOTO Vision was kind enough to send me their product, however, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own ***

Team Mama Idea: 5 Covid Safe Fundraising Ideas!

We may be in the middle of a pandemic, but that isn't stopping us Booster Board members from fundraising for our team! We've definitely had to get a bit creative though. Gone are the days of concession stands, car washes and bake sales... in fact we aren't allowed to involve the student athletes at all.

So what can be done to raise funds while maintaining social distance and following protocols? Here are 5 COVID safe ideas:

1. Spirit Wear Sale. This has been our go-to thus far. We've done a 100% virtual sale where people order online and items are delivered directly to them. And we're currently doing a cold weather gear sale. As a Board, we chose 5 OSFA items (beanies, scarves, fleece headbands, stadium blankets, and umbrellas) that we thought would sell best and ordered a bunch. People can order them via our Square Site and we offer contactless, porch pick up. No one wants to get left out in the cold (see what I did there?), so they are selling like hotcakes!
2. Virtual Letter Campaign. Our letter campaign (where we require each player to mail a letter requesting donations to ten family members/friends) historically brings in about $12,000. But because we can't physically use students, we've had to change it up a bit. Enter our virtual letter campaign. We are asking each player to supply us with ten email addresses and will be sending out a mass email requesting donations. As in years past, players can still opt out by writing a check for $100 dollars ($10 per email) instead. You'd actually be surprised by how many go this route!
3. Restaurant Night. Work with your local restaurants to set up. Some will offer as much as 50% of the proceeds! Logistics is everything... the closer to the school/practice facility, the better. Not comfortable eating inside just yet, no worries. I don't know a single restaurant that doesn't offer carryout. Help out your team and community at the exact same time!
4. Fan Cut-Outs. Limited or no spectators allowed at your athlete's games? Don't worry mama, you can still be there in spirit! Fan cut-outs are showing up in stadiums all over the place, even the pros! Fans order them, you set them up... and poof, you (once again) have fans in the stands!
5. Mask sale. Because after all, they are the new normal. Not to mention that they are required at every single stadium that I know! Work with the company of your choice (brownie points if they're local!). Come up with one or two different designs. Don't forget to add both youth and adult sizes! You can even do contactless porch pick-up. This is sure to be a winner. I mean, who can't use an extra mask (or two, or three)?!
6. Amazon Wishlist! Yes, I know that the title of this blog says 5 (this was added after it was originally published), and that it's not technically a FUNDraiser, but hear me out! Our Booster Club literally started an Amazon Wishlist yesterday evening and the donations have been pouring in! We added bottled water, Gatorade, hand warmers, and protein bars. Family and friends, both near and far, have been SO generous! It's a great way for people to support you without leaving the comfort of their own couch!

I hope you find these ideas helpful! Be sure to join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group for even more ideas!

Stay safe and Happy Fundraising!!!

Football in February... It's Happening!

Happy Super Bowl Eve, Sports Mamas! I hope you've been well. I mentioned in my last post that Fall football had been canceled due to Covid and that Virginia was exploring possibly playing in February. Well, guess what? It's February and FOOTBALL IS BACK!!! I am so excited, mamas. It has been a whole 15 months since I've been in those stands. Where is my cowbell?!?!

For those of you unfamiliar with February weather in Virginia, let me give you our current 5 day forecast:

• Today- High of 51, Low of 34
• Tomorrow- High of 42, Low of 19 (NINETEEN!!!), 1-3 inches of snow expected
• Monday- High of 37, Low of 26
• Tuesday- High of 49, Low of 29
• Wednesday- High of 37, Low of 29, snow showers possible

I'm cold just thinking about it! But there is NOTHING in the world that will keep me from cheering at the top of my lungs for my boy! (Unfortunately only No. 1 will be playing as No. 2 has decided to take a break this season- more to come on that in a future post). 

So how am I prepping for this unprecedented football season? For starters, I bought a new coat. It's a parka with a faux-fur hood. I also restocked on hand warmers and am on the hunt for a good pair of long johns. Let me know if you have any recommendations! But what I am most excited about is the heated stadium seat Coach Hubby ordered me. It arrived yesterday and I can't wait to test it out. I'll have a full review after our first game, so be sure to stay tuned!

The weather isn't the only thing that will be different though. One of the biggest differences is the length of our season. There will only be six regular season games as opposed to ten. This will greatly impact the playoffs, making every single game extra crucial.

Our stands will also look very different. Spectators will be extremely limited; every player will be allowed just two spectators per game. So no big, loud, crazy student section this year. There will also be no cheerleaders, band, or color guard. Us parents will need to bring the noise!!

The players and coaches are also feeling the effects of Covid/February football. No weight room or locker room access. Helmets aren't coming home as they have to be sanitized daily. Players must also bring a gallon of water to each game and practice as there is no sharing of water bottles. They must also wear mesh coverings on the inside of their face masks.

Despite all of these changes, we are all super grateful that our boys are getting the opportunity to play. Praying for a healthy, injury free, successful season for our team and ALL of the other young athletes strapping up for Football in February!

GO SPARTANS!