When the rains came to Globe and Miami on Friday, September 26, no one could have imagined how quickly life would change. A historic storm sent Pinal Creek surging beyond its banks, flooding homes, businesses, and schools. By the time the waters receded, three lives had been lost, and countless families were left to pick up the pieces.
But amid the heartbreak, something remarkable began to happen. Across Arizona, the high school sports community rallied — not for a trophy or a title, but for each other.
On September 29, buses from Pima High School arrived in Globe, carrying football players, volleyball players, and coaches ready to work. Linking arms with students and parents from Globe and Miami High Schools, they formed a cleanup convoy that moved through the Downtown and Copper Rim neighborhoods, clearing mud, debris, and ruined belongings from homes and yards.
“Sports teach teamwork and heart,” one volunteer said, “but days like this teach compassion.”
The following day, a group of nine football players from Combs High School spent part of their fall break helping families and small businesses dig out from the wreckage. They worked quietly, side by side with residents, carrying soaked carpets, shoveling mud, and offering a little bit of hope with each load. Student athletes from Safford High School also showed up to serve wherever they could.
It wasn’t just the neighboring high schools that showed up. Across the region, student-athletes and coaches found ways to lend a hand. High Desert Middle School’s football team, who were on the road in Eloy the week after the flood, was given a heartwarming
surprise. After seeing the devastation on the news, Eloy’s Athletic Director posted a video asking local families to bring water, canned goods, and household supplies for Globe. When the final whistle blew, Eloy had filled a bus with donations — everything from bottled water to paper towels — and after the game helped load the supplies into parents’ trucks bound for Globe and Miami.
Assistant Coach Rich Kruger of High Desert
said it best: “Thank you, Eloy High School and Junior High, for the generous donations — but also for teaching all our kids how to look out for each other in times like this.”
The kindness didn’t stop there. The Globe High School volleyball team played at Valley Christian High School on September 23. Valley Christian’s parents had dinner for the Globe girls to show their support. On October 6, when Globe’s volleyball team traveled to play Florence High School, the Florence girls had snacks, drinks, and treats waiting — a small gesture that carried a lot of heart. Even the Northeastern Arizona Youth Football League, home of the local Punchers youth football team, held a 50/50 raffle at their playoff games to raise money for flood victims.
As community member Amy Johnson put it, “It really helps regain faith in humanity when bad things happen and good humans show up.”
The road to recovery in Globe and Miami will be long, but in the shadow
of tragedy, Arizona’s student-athletes have shown what it means to be teammates — not just on the field, but in life.
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