Framingham High School’s 50-29 victory over Brookline last Thursday came alongside a tribute to athletic trainer Victoria Crowe. The Flyers dedicated the game to Crowe as she began a fifth round of leukemia treatment following a period of remission, with the school turning the night into a show of support.
A Trainer Who Became Part of Every Team
Crowe is Framingham High School’s athletics trainer, caring for student athletes as they participate in sports, according to WBZ NewsRadio 1030, which reported on the tribute. Student athlete Jesus Batista said Crowe is always there to help when something is wrong with his body.
Fellow student Jaime Colorado described Crowe as part of every team at the school. Student Aria Harrison said Crowe inspired her to pursue medical work when she is older, a sign of the trainer’s influence beyond her work on the sidelines.
A statewide effort to document school athletic training
Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts says its ATLAS survey collects information about athletic trainers’ work in secondary schools to inform advocacy for more and better athletic training positions across the state.
Orange Shirts, Ribbons and a Rushed Order
The orange shirts were organized on a tight timeline. Brenna King said the school contacted a local company and requested 1,000 shirts in time for Thursday’s game. The shirts read “Flyers Fight for Victoria” and were distributed to student athletes and spectators, according to WBZ NewsRadio 1030. Christina Lowe said supporters also wore orange ribbons, bows bearing Crowe’s name and bracelets.
The tribute was added to an evening that already had a theme: the Framingham student section had been planning a pink-out for the game against Brookline, but the night took on another meaning with the dedication to Crowe, according to The Boston Globe.
A Lopsided Win and a Bigger Moment
On the scoreboard, the night belonged to Framingham just as much as it did to Crowe. The Flyers defeated Brookline 50-29, closing out a dominant performance in front of a crowd dressed head to toe in orange. Crowe described the atmosphere as lively, and she said the outpouring of support made the game feel bigger than just playing, as reported by WBZ NewsRadio, a sentiment that cut through what was otherwise another entry in Framingham's football schedule.
Students, staff and athletes took part in the tribute, extending the show of support beyond the football team and into the wider Framingham High community.
Photographs from the game, credited to Kourtney Costello, captured the orange-filled stands. For Framingham, the night centered on Crowe, whose work caring for the school’s athletes usually takes place from the sidelines.
