FREER, Texas — The Freer Mighty Buckaroo Band is preparing to perform in the NFL Hall of Fame parade next month in Canton, Ohio.
Freer High School alumnus Steve McMichael will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this year.
Freer Independent School District leaders said there is a lot of pride for McMichael in their community, and it is inspiring for students to see him now as a Hall of Famer.
"I'm really excited," incoming freshman Emmerson Perez said. "A lot of people have told us that this is, like, a once in a lifetime thing."
Perez plays flute and is excited to experience something new when she marches in the parade.
Freer High School Head Band Director Pat Ruiz said about 40 students will march in the parade. $26,000 has been raised so far to help get them there.
"We had to do quite a bit of fundraising, but it's so nice to see our community and surrounding communities support us," Ruiz said.
He said it was 48 years between when McMichael left Freer High School and his induction into the Hall of Fame. He added that his band will represent the entire Coastal Bend when they perform.
"It's an honor, first of all, for him to be in the NFL Hall of Fame," Ruiz said. "But it's an honor for us to go support him and his family."
Freer ISD Superintendent Conrad Cantu said students will visit the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland during the trip. He said this is also a special experience for students to learn about McMichael.
"Not everybody, a very small 2A school, has a hall of fame alum," Cantu said. "Special that we're bringing some history back to the students in our school today."
Olivia Ruiz, another incoming freshman and saxophonist in the Freer marching band, said the trip will be a great way to honor the Buckaroo alumnus.
"It really is a great experience, and it's just a greater thing that we're going to be able to do that for Mr. McMichael," Ruiz said.
Cantu said there will be one more fundraiser this weekend to raise money for the trip and about $6,000-7,000 is expected. He said Freer ISD will pitch in as needed to make sure students have a great experience.
Pat Ruiz said they are still accepting donations for the trip.