Eden Prairie High School football player Will Kukla (34) visits with The Waters resident Nedra during the Eagles’ 16th annual trip to the senior living community on Friday, Aug. 15. Photo by Rick Olson
The Eden Prairie football team and cheerleaders made their 16th annual visit to The Waters of Eden Prairie senior living community on Friday, continuing a tradition that blends lighthearted competition with meaningful connections across generations.
The afternoon opened with a touch football game between the Eagles and The Waters staff. The outcome was familiar – the staff won, three touchdowns to one – but the score was beside the point. Residents laughed from the sidelines as players good-naturedly chased staff members into the end zone.
Eden Prairie High School defensive back Justice Bates (33) breaks up a pass from The Waters staff quarterback during the Eagles’ 16th annual visit to the senior living community on Friday, Aug. 15. Photo by Rick Olson
With the heat rising, the group moved indoors for a hot dog eating contest that ended in a draw and a push-up challenge won by a cheerleader. Players and cheerleaders then served hot dogs, chips and other snacks before sitting down with residents to swap stories.
Coach Mike Grant said the tradition reflects the program’s core values.
“Our motto on our football team is men for others,” Grant said. “And so we’re always looking for opportunities for our players to get out in the community and do something good.”
Grant said the visits benefit both sides.
“The people here at The Waters really like what we do; they really enjoy it,” he said. “So that’s just one thing, but it’s also really good for our players. It’s good for our players to take time to visit with people who are older than them, who give them a perspective on life.”
Resident Mike, 98, talks with Eden Prairie High School’s Ethan Sather (64), a team captain, and Jake Gau (66) during the Eagles’ 16th annual visit to The Waters of Eden Prairie on Friday, Aug. 15. Photo by Rick Olson
For senior captain Ethan Sather, the visit carried meaning beyond football. He talked about meeting a 98-year-old resident named Mike, “a really funny guy” who loved sharing jokes. “Hearing those stories and lessons from my elders – it’s invaluable,” Sather said.
Sather said he reminds younger teammates to view the day as an honor.
“It’s a privilege to be doing this,” Sather said. “This isn’t like, ‘we have to go to The Waters.’ It’s, ‘we get to come here.’ We get to celebrate and have a fun day with these people. I think this is one of the highlights of the year.”
Eden Prairie High School football player Zane Frost (7), a team captain, talks with The Waters resident Sally, who wore a Minnesota Vikings jersey, during the Eagles’ 16th annual visit on Friday, Aug. 15. Photo by Rick Olson
Senior captain Zane Frost called the visit one of his favorite days of the year.
Frost said the conversations matter as much as the games. Residents, he added, “have so many life experiences and so much wisdom that can benefit us in so many ways.”
He spent time with Sally, a new resident in a Minnesota Vikings jersey. “She had been a teacher,” he said, noting that she taught in Madison and had only recently moved in. “She was surprised at how nice and welcoming we were. I could tell it made an impact on her being able to talk to us.”
As a captain, Frost reminds younger teammates to take the day seriously. “Be open to not just helping the residents, but making this something that we can learn from, too,” he said.
From left, Eden Prairie High School football players Zac Lorenson (18), The Waters resident Lea, Andrew Johnson (1) and Gavin Walden (9, with his back to the camera) share a moment during the Eagles’ 16th annual visit to The Waters of Eden Prairie on Friday, Aug. 15. Photo by Rick Olson
Grant said the team began visiting when the facility was called The Colony, nearly two decades ago, and he intends to keep the tradition going.
“The whole idea of giving back is an important thing for our players,” Grant said. “That’s why we do it. Our players are happy to come and visit. And, I think we’ll continue to do it as long as we can.”
The Eagles return to football later this month. They will host public scrimmages against Chanhassen and Champlin Park on Saturday, Aug. 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at Aerie Stadium. Admission is free. Their regular-season opener is Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Anoka.
EPHS cheerleader Alaiya Woods, football player Keiran Long and The Waters culinary liaison Niko Salgado compete in a push-up contest. Woods was declared the winner to the delight of residents. Photo by Rick Olson
Cheerleader Alaiya Woods gets a high-five after winning the push-up contest during the Eagles’ 16th annual visit to The Waters of Eden Prairie on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson
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