Ellis County Sports report
WAXAHACHIE — The All-Ellis County All-Star Games began as a way to honor local high school senior baseball and softball players who had their final season representing our communities stolen by COVID mandates.
The several hundred spectators gathered on a berm at the Waxahachie Sports Complex in July 2020 had grown to several hundred more packing the stands over the past four Junes to celebrate our varsity baseball and softball student-athletes and coaches from 13 Ellis County high schools.
And it’s now growing once again.
Over the past few years, the popularity of the All-Ellis County All-Star baseball and softball games has led to more than a few, “Well, what about [insert your sport of choice]?” We’ve listened and, thanks to a partnership with The Waxahachie Sun and presenting sponsorship by Methodist Midlothian Medical Center, those “what abouts” will now include Ellis County-wide all-star game celebrations of varsity student-athletes and coaches in volleyball, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, softball and baseball.
“The opportunity to partner with Ellis County Sports, Methodist Midlothian and others to provide a platform to celebrate these athletes and coaches is one we truly cherish,” stated Scott Brooks, publisher of The Sun. “I’ve always believed in the power of sport and community, and these games tie those two together perfectly.”
First up in the expanded games is volleyball. Twenty-four varsity student-athletes nominated by countywide coaches will take the historic court at The Old Gymnasium in Midlothian at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in a first-of-its-kind game. In all 7 games planned for the 2024-25 school year, the East and West teams will be comprised of student-athletes and coaches from Ovilla Christian, Red Oak, Midlothian Heritage, Midlothian, Maypearl, Milford, Avalon, Italy, Ennis, Palmer, Ferris, Life Waxahachie and Waxahachie High Schools.
“The teams at Ellis County Sports Media and The Waxahachie Sun will continue to explore any and all unique avenues to continue expanding these games, celebrations and ways to pour back into the sports community that binds our County,” stated Travis Smith, owner and founder of ECS.
“We have a few exciting things in the pipeline, including the return of the All-Ellis County Awards and Gala, and stand excitedly waiting to share those details with our student-athletes, coaches, programs and families,” Smith added. “Traditional media is long gone, and social media has turned toward for-profit. These celebrations are a throwback to the days of refrigerator news and honoring the young people who will one day lead our communities and the mentors who helped shape them.”
The games have served and will always serve as a true celebration of sport and community. By no other way than incredible business champions like presenting sponsor Methodist Midlothian Medical Center, the All-Ellis County All-Star games will continue to be free of charge for entry and participation.
Additional sponsors will be celebrated with the roster announcements for those games and All-Ellis County Sports Awards & Gala details will be made public as soon as the celebrity athlete speaker is secured.
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For additional information on the games or sponsorship opportunities, email tsmith@elliscosports.com.