Seneca Valley School District shares NFL Draft excitement with students
CRANBERRY TWP — Steelers black and gold took over Ehrman Crest Elementary School as middle and elementary school students supported their favorite teams during NFL draft weekend on Thursday, April 23.
With the 2026 draft taking place at Pittsburgh’s North Shore area this weekend, some children represented other teams, too. Among the many jerseys, TJ Watt and Cam Heyward’s were common and a Dan Marino or Josh Allen shirt could be spotted.
“We’ve seen a little bit of everything,” Ian Hunter, Seneca Valley communications director, said.
The school’s involvement in the draft weekend did not stop at apparel.
On the bright and sunny Thursday morning, students gathered outdoors on the field in the bus loop area to try out a series of NFL-inspired drills in what is the first draft day activity of its kind at Seneca Valley schools.
Five activity stations were set up on the field, one for the running back, quarterback, linemen, wide receiver and defensive back positions.
Students, supervised by their teachers, took part in football drills and exercises, rotating in and out in batches based on their class schedules.
“Do you think that there are some special players right now, who are so anxious and nervous and excited about being drafted?” Sara Coon, Ehrman Crest’s health and physical education teacher, asked one group.
The chorus of students responded with an energetic “yes.”
Hunter said the “mini-field day” activity is a way for students to participate in the festivities of the NFL draft. For the school district, it is a unique opportunity to incorporate a major event in the region into school time, he added.
“I personally love the NFL draft and any way I can share my excitement with it is where the idea initially started,” said Hunter.
While Coon noticed many of the kids are “football inspired,” she said, “It’s not just about football. Getting the students outside on this beautiful day is amazing.”
Coon said being outdoors, socializing, wellness and having fun through teamwork were all into consideration when conceptualizing and planning the drill stations.
Coon said she noticed elementary school students don’t let the complicated rules get in the way of their enjoyment.
“If they don’t understand fully, they make up their own and that is what’s so beautiful about it,” she said.
With students taking on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests this week, the outdoor and physical activities came at a good time, said Hunter.
Not all students were able to join the activities, as some joined their parents for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Other Seneca Valley schools engaged in similar draft day activities.
Rowan Elementary School played walk-up music as students arrived. At Haine Elementary School, NFL themed teamwork stations were hosted outdoors in the afternoon. At the senior high school, tabletop exercises in the criminal investigations class had students work in teams to design and adapt security plans for a large-scale, urban event modeled after current NFL draft conditions in Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh is this big, small town and we like to show off our big small town,” said Hunter. “I think Pittsburgh also gets a little nervous about things, and all of a sudden the party happens, and we’re ready for it. That’s what this is.”
