WARDEN — With the beginning of fall sports season just around the corner, the various fall sports at Warden High School are gathering for a community sports night Friday, raising money for the Cougar cheerleading, cross country, football, girls soccer and volleyball programs.

The idea for the event was brought by new Warden football coach Dallyn McLean.

“I saw how this community in Idaho got together in the beginning of every school year and had this community night,” McLean said. “I thought it’d be a great thing for Warden to have.”

The community night is a combination of events, featuring a dinner, silent auction and flag football tournament. Dinner is $5 loaded potatoes, and the silent auction consists of 50 lots donated by fans and businesses around the Warden community.

The flag football tournament is a seven-on-seven format, with leagues for both boys and girls.

“It’s going to be a fun night,” McLean said. “Play some flag football, taking the opportunity to do a little bit of fundraising.”

McLean said that the money raised from the community night will be shared among the five sports. Each team has provided 10 items for the silent auction, ranging from Warden memorabilia to gift baskets to a round of golf at the Sage Hills Golf Club.

“We’re hoping to raise some money that will be (shared) evenly among all the fall sports,” McLean said. “Coaches can buy equipment and things that their athletes.”

The collaboration in preparing the community night not only allowed the players, fans and family to have a fun night together but also allowed the different head coaches of Warden’s fall sports the chance to get to know one another.

“It’s been fun having the coaches work together,” McLean said. “Because without this, I don't think I would have crossed paths directly with (the other coaches), other than sitting around the table and discussing this and different things we need in our sports programs.”

The Warden community night begins at 5 p.m. on the Cougar’s football field, with dinner starting at 6 p.m. and the auction getting started at 7:30 p.m.

The fun isn’t just for those in Warden, McLean added, and if it’s successful he’d like to see it continue in the coming years.

“It’s open to everyone — Royal, Othello, Ephrata — everyone,” McLean said. “Maybe next year other teams from other schools want to come play some flag football as well.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at [email protected].