Lakewood Athletics hosted its annual Night at the Races (NATR) fundraiser on March 21, 2026, continuing a tradition of supporting student-athletes and strengthening the community. Held at St. Mary’s Hall, the event is open to coaches, superfans, and supporters who come together with the shared goal of investing in students and ensuring long-term opportunities for growth and development within the Lakewood program.
Kristen Moran, now in her fourth year leading the event, has gained experience in both coordinating the event and identifying the best ways to ensure success through trial, adjustment, and attendee feedback. Under her leadership, NATR has remained consistent in both participation and outcome, maintaining and gaining community support year after year, while continuing to adapt to the needs of the program it serves.
Held at St. Mary’s Hall, NATR offers many fundraising options while also keeping everyone busy and engaged throughout the duration of the event, including buying their own horse to watch in simulated races, bidding on raffle baskets, sideboards, and much more. This interactive environment maintains a continuous flow of fundraising and also adds interactive elements that extend to all attendees, regardless of athletic ability.
Moran emphasized the direct impact of this event on the school. “We run this event to raise money for the Athletic Department,” she said. “The money raised gets put right back into the school and into our kids’ programs.”
She pointed out a clear example from the previous year, when proceeds went into the new weight room and supported strength and conditioning coach Jimmy Gajewski. This transparency can help people know exactly what they are helping to support through their contributions and reinforce trust between sponsors, attendees, and their community.
Beyond the financial benefits, NATR serves as a way to bring the community together, emphasizing one of the main goals of Lakewood Athletics. It gives the community a reason to unite and celebrate shared pride in student-athlete achievement and success.
“The key part is that it brings together all sports, not just one,” said Kristin Bower, a parent to a Lakewood student athlete. “And not only at the high school level, but middle school and recreational as well.”
This broad focus allows parents to connect through all levels of their children’s participation in the Lakewood programs, from youth programs all the way to varsity teams.
This sense of community extends beyond just athletics and reflects the broader values of involvement and support in the Lakewood community.
“This is an event that draws in a lot of athletic parents whose kids are in sports right now or had kids in the program recently,” Moran said. “But we also have community members who don’t have kids. We have administrators who come, including the principal and the athletic director, who bought tickets.”
Community organizations also play a role in the success of the event. “The Community Recreation Center sponsors and buys tickets, further broadening the base of support,” Moran said, reflecting how the event works as a whole community gathering.
Not only is it important for its purpose—raising money—but it also makes for a very fun night for the adults involved. Attendees can reconnect with others, meet new families, and build relationships that extend beyond the event itself. This contributes to the network of support for Lakewood Athletics and strengthens communication among families, coaches, and community leaders.
Kelly Carroll, a parent of both a past and current athlete, described the event as more than just a fundraiser. “It’s great to get to mingle with everyone, getting to see past parents and even future parents of elementary or middle schoolers,” Carroll said. “It comes together as a great event.”
Night at the Races continues to serve as a central part of Lakewood Athletics’ culture. By combining fundraising with community engagement, the event supports both the immediate needs of student-athletes and the long-term strength of the program.
