53 raffle items and 20 additional silent auction items lined the cyclone fence. A sea of people sporting yellow shirts surrounded Whitman field yesterday, making it clear something out of the ordinary was occurring.

Emblazoned with “Soccer for Stas,” these yellow shirts epitomized the reason for the gathering. Stan Stadler, whose name is “Stas” in Polish, is the father of Varsity player Anna Stadler. He is currently battling bladder cancer and is now receiving home hospice care. To help the Stadler family with medical expenses, parents and coaches of the girls’ soccer program organized a fundraiser during the New Berlin West game.

All money collected during the game Thursday was donated, “All the proceeds—the food, raffle, t-shirts, bracelets, hats, everything—are going to my brother and his family,” said Mary Szymanski, Stan Stadler’s older sister.

The Stadler family has a long history with the West soccer program. Junior Anna Stadler is the latest part of this family legacy. She and her older brothers Andy and Tim all played under Coach Jon Gulrajani during their years in the program. “They’re a special family to me and to the program,” said Gulrajani, “so it was really a tribute to them.”

Szymanski expressed her gratitude for outpouring of support the family has received. “Just talking to all the people here and seeing all the connections, it’s amazing,” she said, adding, “It’s really been a blessing.”