COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew will host the Club’s second annual Stay in the Game! Attendance Network theme match on Saturday, March 14, when the Black & Gold take on Nashville SC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field [6:15 p.m. ET / Apple TV / FS1 / FOX Deportes / Alt 105.7 FM / iHeartRadio app (English); La Mega 103.1 FM, 107.1 FM / La Mega app (Spanish)]. The match will spotlight the importance of consistent school attendance while celebrating students, educators and partners who are making a difference across Ohio.
More than 500 students and educators from 16 partner school districts will attend the match as special guests through the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, supported by AEP and Bread Financial. Honorees will receive complimentary tickets, SITG! T-shirts and meal vouchers and will participate in a variety of pre-match and in-stadium activations throughout the evening.
“The Crew are proud to use the platform of matchday to recognize the students and educators who are leading the way in building strong attendance habits,” said Stephanie Cedeño, Crew Director of Community Relations. “Stay in the Game! continues to demonstrate how sports can bring communities together while reinforcing the importance of showing up every day and preparing young people for future success.”
Students and educators will be integrated into multiple matchday moments, including serving as the First Kick Kid, Match Ignitor, Coin Toss Captain, Ball Kids, PA Announcer and in-game host, while more than 150 students and educators will line the Gold Carpet to welcome Crew players and coaches upon their arrival to the stadium.
- Greyson Taylor of Pickerington Local Schools will take part in the ceremonial First Kick.
- Joe Johnson, an educator from London City Schools, will be honored as the match’s Hometown Hero.
- Rahma Issah from Groveport Madison Local District will serve as the Coin Toss Captain.
- Ryan Smith, an educator from Pickerington Local Schools, will serve as the Match Ignitor, energizing the crowd ahead of kickoff.
- Noah Colson from Whitehall City Schools has the honor of delivering the match ball.
- During the match, eleven different students from Worthington City Schools will serve as ball kids.
- Paxton McKenzie from London City Schools will perform in-game host duties.
- Luka Krivicich from Hilliard City Schools will be the night’s PA Announcer.
In addition to the on-field recognition, fans will experience a variety of Stay in the Game! themed activations throughout the stadium and on Chase Plaza. Highlights include a Stay in the Game! tent featuring attendance pledge activities and giveaways, partner activations with Bread Financial, a Columbus Metropolitan Library pop-up and interactive games. Students will also play a role in supporter culture, helping create a special Nordecke tifo that will be unveiled during the match.
The match will also feature in-stadium storytelling and messaging highlighting the impact of the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, including a recap video, halftime activities focused on education and attendance, PA announcements and LED board messaging throughout the evening.
Specialty ticket packages are available for the match that include a Crew Cat plush toy.
The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network works to campaign, connect and convene with experts and supporters to dramatically improve attendance for Ohio students. Through school celebrations, player visits, matchday experiences and creative incentives, the Crew are helping students see attendance as something worth celebrating and creating a positive impact that extends far beyond the classroom. Stay in the Game! districts have decreased chronic absenteeism by 8.1%, compared to the state decrease of 5.0% from 2022-2025.
About the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network
Launched in 2019, the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, managed by Battelle, works together to campaign, connect and convene with experts and supporters to increase student attendance in Ohio. The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network has supported over 200 districts and approximately 600,000 students during the 2024-2025 school year through localized, data-informed attendance campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the importance of school attendance as a foundation for student success and identifying barriers to attendance. For more information about the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, visit StayinTheGame.org.