Massillon Fans Get Behind the Tigers at the Annual Football Kickoff Rally

August 20, 2024
by Don Engelhardt

Massillon Fans Get Behind the Tigers at the Annual Football Kickoff Rally

Orange and black was the attire of the day as a throng of Massillon faithful packed Duncan Plaza for the annual Football Kickoff Rally, sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association and the Massillon Museum. The Tiger Swing Band strutted in to the sounds of Tiger Rag, a tune made famous in the 1930s by band director George “Red Bird.” The cheerleaders fired up the crowd with their T I G – E R S chant and impressed all with their back flips. And finally, the Massillon Tiger football team proudly strolled in and jammed the pavilion with their 122-strong number. And it wasn’t lost on the fans throughout the evening that these Tigers are ready to defend their Division II state title of a year ago.

WTIG’s Ray Jeske was the emcee of the event, which featured short speeches by Mayor Jamie Slutz, Superintendent Paul Salvino, Washington High Principal Dave Lautenschleger, Booster Club President Ed Starcher and Football Head Coach Nate Moore.

Salvino – “I can tell you how proud I am to be a product of Massillon and the Massillon Tigers.”

Lautenschleger – “Massillon against the world (2023 season theme). There’s probably not a better time for that phrase,” as he referred to the opening opponent, NFL Academy-London, in a game that will be played this Thursday in Beaverton, Oregon. “The beauty of the game this week is to expand globally around the world.”

Moore – “It’s great to be here. I’m so proud of our program and our great young men. We have put this program back as the premier program in Stark County and the State of Ohio. Last year we sent shock waves around the country. We’re now back as the team everybody is talking about. We have a chance to show the entire world that Massillon is the center of the world for its football. I wish everyone could be there (in Oregon). When we take the field the entire city of Massillon will be in our hearts as we put the team in front of the entire world.”

The evening wrapped up with ice cream provided by the Massillon Museum.

Photos by Rob Engelhardt.